The Chicago Bulls have delayed the inevitable for far too long. Despite calls from fans to make peace with the underwhelming results produced by the Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic core, it took until the past 18 or so months for Chicago to finally change course.
With Vucevic still on the roster as the last holdover from a lost era, the Bulls have yet to truly move on—but FanSided's recent 2026 NBA mock draft has given them the excuse to do so.
Christopher Kline of FanSided.com recently produced the latest in a steady stream of mock drafts. Within it, the Bulls utilized the No. 13 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft to bring in Michigan Wolverines center Aday Mara.
In the process, Kline gifted Chicago the excuse they've needed to finally move on from Vucevic and begin the rebuild they must embrace to ensure a brighter future.
Bulls draft center Aday Mara in Christopher Kline's recent mock draft
Mara is a 7'3" and 255-pound center from Spain who has flashed otherworldly potential. He's a top-tier shot-blocker, gifted passer, and solid interior scoring threat who has yet to expand his range but offers ample reason for optimism down low.
Thus far in 2025-26, Mara is averaging 10.2 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.9 offensive boards, 2.5 assists, and 2.6 blocks in just 21.9 minutes per game on 66.3 percent shooting from the field.
There are reasons for skepticism, as Mara is shooting just 41.7 percent at the free throw line and is still playing limited minutes during his junior season. The upside of this pick, however, is that it would give Chicago a talent to finally develop long term at the center position.
It's the one opportunity the Bulls have yet to create, which offers a valid explanation for why they've been reluctant to trade Vucevic.
Without a replacement lined up, Chicago has been at the mercy of the market in regard to how they'd fill the void Vucevic would leave behind at center. As it stands, his backups are Zach Collins and Jalen Smith, who have been career reserves up to this point.
Compounded by the fact that Collins is playing on an expiring contract and Smith was signed for less than $10 million per season, the Bulls haven't exactly invested in their future as starters.
By drafting Mara, however, Chicago could at least claim to have a future in mind at the position. In said scenario, they'd be able to justify allowing Vucevic to walk in unrestricted free agency knowing there's at least some semblance of a strategy beyond his presence.
The Bulls' draft position could clearly change between now and June, but Kline's mock draft has given them the way out they needed from the Vucevic era.