With the 2026 NBA Draft less than two weeks away, the Chicago Bulls certainly have their work cut out for them.
Assuming they stay put at fourth overall, that choice should be relatively easy. This draft class has a clearly-defined top-four, and they'll simply choose whoever falls to them in that spot. Although they'd likely prefer AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, or Caleb Wilson, Darryn Peterson would also be a worthy selection if their hand is ultimately forced.
Things get more complicated, however, at 15th and 38th overall. The Bulls have needs virtually across their roster after they tore things down at the trade deadline. They also are on a long-term timeline, meaning that no prospect is off the table as long as they meet Bryson Graham's clear threshold for defense and athleticism.
So far, Chicago has focused mostly on bringing in guards for pre-draft workouts, especially those projected to go inside the top-10 (like Keaton Wagler or Darius Acuff). Make of that what you will.
But their recent visit with Chris Cenac Jr. out of the University of Houston presents a much more likely, and therefore a much more intriguing, scenario. The Bulls need a center, but they also need frontcourt talent more generally. Although Cenac certainly has some questions surrounding his long-term NBA upside, he would be more than a worthy gamble at 15th overall.
Chris Cenac Jr.'s recent visit represents a realistic (and highly intriguing) scenario for the Bulls at 15
The Bulls hosted Cenac on Monday for a workout, per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. Although there haven't been any reports on their internal impression of him, one would imagine that his size and defensive upside were, at the very least, appealing to the Bulls' new front office.
Per league source, the Bulls hosted Houston forward Chris Cenac for a predraft workout today. Here were some of the others involved: Donovan Atwell (Texas Tech), Tobe Awaka (Arizona), Josh Dix (Creighton), Nate Johnson (Kansas State), and Xavian Lee (Florida).
— Joel Lorenzi (@JoelXLorenzi) June 8, 2026
Across 37 games as a freshman at Houston, Cenac averaged 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists while shooting 48.5% from the field. Those numbers, in and of themselves, aren't necessarily all that appealing.
But the traits are certainly there. Cenac measured 6'11" with a 7'5" wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach at the NBA Combine. Although there are some who project him to take on more of a power forward role at the NBA level, he certainly has the height and the athleticism to eventually go face-to-face with some of the league's most imposing big men if he gets the necessary development.
He will need to gain size and strength at the next level, but the defensive potential is there even beyond that. He was a central component of one of college basketball's best defenses last season, and although the shot-blocking numbers aren't gaudy (he averaged just 0.5 blocks per game in his lone college season), he has the agility to stay in front of his man and offer excellent weak-side help when called upon.
Of course, the Bulls could certainly go for a guard with their second first-round pick, especially if Boozer or Wilson falls to them into the early lottery. But outside of Matas Buzelis, the Bulls' frontcourt is frighteningly lackluster.
They need a long-term center, and if they believe Cenac has upside at the position, he would be more than a worthy gamble at 15th overall.
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