As we inch closer to the 2026 NBA Draft, there will be a ton of eyes on the Chicago Bulls.
That's because, after getting bumped up to the top-four in the NBA Draft Lottery, the Bulls are now in prime position to take a swing at trading up for the first or second overall pick if it becomes available. It would be a major splash. But with the fourth and 15th overall picks at their disposal, it's certainly not outside the realm of possibility.
It was reported by Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints that the Bulls have been in conversation with the Washington Wizards to, in fact, move up to the first-overall pick in this year's Draft. If they were able to pull it off, it would be a strong deal for both teams.
Chicago would likely get their preferred prospect in AJ Dybantsa, while Washington would be able to grab whoever out of this class's defined top-four drops to them. But it would cost, at the very least, both of the Bulls' first-round picks in this year's Draft.
With as many holes as they have on their roster, Chicago may just be better off staying put.
The Bulls need to add as much young talent as possible in order to cement their rebuild
Rebuilds in the NBA are never easy. As the league looks to change its Draft Lottery rules to prevent tanking, it will only become more difficult.
Thankfully, Chicago is in a relatively solid position. They're in possession of all of their future first-round picks, and they already have a budding young star on their roster in Matas Buzelis. Outside of that, though, they need major help.
The fourth and the 15th overall selections should be able to provide that. Even at fourth overall, Chicago should be able to nab one of Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson. Even with Darryn Peterson's health concerns, it's unlikely he drops outside of the top-three. They will therefore secure their power forward of the future, allowing Buzelis to shift back to a more natural small forward role.
This draft class is deep enough, moreover, that the 15th overall pick could also yield an impressive talent. Chicago has been linked to players like Jayden Quaintance, Cameron Carr, Morez Johnson Jr., and even Dailyn Swain in that range.
If they're able to grab both one of the Draft's top prospects and a guard or wing with high-level scoring upside, they'd jumpstart their rebuild immediately.
If this was a Draft with only one or two clearly special prospects at the top, perhaps it would be a different story. But as things stand currently, the Bulls' roster would likely benefit from the front office staying put in the 2026 NBA Draft.
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