After years of painful mediocrity, the Chicago Bulls are ready to begin a full-scale rebuild. And new executive VP of basketball operations, Bryson Graham, is set up for success in a stacked 2026 NBA Draft.
Fit shouldn't matter for the Bulls; what's most important is accruing as much young talent as possible. Graham is in a good spot to do just that, armed with the Nos. 4, 15, 38 and 56 picks.
If everything goes according to this ideal plan, Chicago will end up with three top-15 picks instead of two, building both an intimidating defense and a versatile offense for new head coach Tiago Splitter — and an unfamiliar feeling of hope for Bulls fans.
Bulls trade into lottery, acquire 3 cornerstones in dream 2026 NBA Draft
Here's a step-by-step list of instructions for Graham to give his rebuild a massive boost in just one night.
Dream Draft Step 1: Everything goes according to plan with Caleb Wilson
The first three picks, in some order, are expected to be BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson and Duke big man Cameron Boozer.
That would mean North Carolina star Caleb Wilson falls right into the Bulls' lap at No. 4 and we're off and running.
Dream Draft Step 2: Keaton Wagler begins to fall
Wilson would set the tone as an explosive, high-motor power forward who would give Graham all the SLAP attributes (size, length, athleticism, physicality) he could want. The 19-year-old is a perfect debut foundational piece.
Keaton Wagler would be the ideal next step as a high-IQ guard with good positional size, versatility to play on or off the ball and an elite 3-point stroke.
If Wagler begins to slide and is still on the board at No. 9, the Bulls could pull off a trade with the Dallas Mavericks using future draft capital to land a second top-10 pick and their point guard of the future.
Dream Draft Scenario No. 3: Bulls can acquire Morez Johnson Jr.
Pairing Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr. with Wilson would give the Bulls a dynamic, intimidating frontcourt.
Johnson's stock vaulted significantly after his measurements and performance at the NBA draft combine. At 6-foot-9 without shoes and 250 pounds with a 7-foot-3 wingspan, the 20-year-old has elite measurables and is one of this class's best defenders at any position.
Johnson is long enough and quick enough to switch screens on the perimeter and big enough to bang in the post. Against certain lineups, he can legitimately guard all five positions. The versatility Johnson brings on the defensive end would complement Wilson's chaotic explosiveness and intensity.
Oh, and don't forget about Matas Buzelis, a 6-foot-10 jumbo wing who's already one of the best weakside shot blockers in the NBA at his position. All three of these players — all 21 years old or younger — could share the floor behind Giddey and Wagler, whose playmaking could create open shots for all of them.
There's a good chance Graham will have to trade up to draft Johnson, but pairing the 38th pick with No. 15 should be enough to jump a few spots.
There are a handful of moving parts here, but if Graham can execute this plan, the Bulls would head into 2026-27 with their future core already intact.
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