After landing the No. 4 pick despite entering the lottery with only a 20.3 percent chance to do so, the Chicago Bulls suddenly find themselves owners of the Nos. 4, 15, 38 and 56 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft. That stroke of lottery luck just changed the organization and, along with it, six weeks worth of mock drafts.
Rather than a handful of options available at No. 9 — their projected lottery slot — Chicago has its choice of one of four consensus top prospects: BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke big Cameron Boozer and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson.
Maybe the more interesting dilemma is the one new executive VP of basketball operations, Bryson Graham, has at No. 15. Should he use that extra pick, courtesy of the Portland Trail Blazers, to take a high-risk, high-reward gamble? Could he decide to trade it and stock more assets? Could he use it to move up inside the top three?
And then there are two second-round picks to consider, including No. 38. While running the draft for the New Orleans Pelicans, Graham grabbed Herb Jones, an eventual all-defense selection, with the 35th pick in 2021.
Here’s what Graham’s debut draft in the Windy City could look like.
Bulls post-lottery mock draft: The foundation of a suffocating defense
No. 4: Caleb Wilson, F, North Carolina
If Caleb Wilson is still on the board for Chicago, he would be a no-brainer.
Graham is eager to build his Bulls franchise with SLAP guys (size, length, athleticism, physicality). Wilson would be the foundation.
At 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot wingspan, elite explosiveness and a level of intensity that would make Kevin Garnett proud, the 19-year-old Wilson has everything Graham desires.
No. 15: Chris Cenac Jr., C, Houston
Chris Cenac Jr. is a boom-or-bust big man who would be worth a gamble at 15.
The New Orleans native is 6-foot-10, 240 pounds and carries a massive 7-foot-4 wingspan. With fluid athleticism and a good-looking jump shot, Cenac projects as a modern two-way big if everything comes together.
But that’s a big if. Cenac’s physical gifts are obvious, but his skills are mostly theoretical at this point. The Bulls can afford to be patient, though, and if he hits, a Cenac-Wilson front-court duo is tantalizing.
No. 38: Tounde Yessoufou, G, Baylor
Tounde Yessoufou’s physical profile had him in the lottery conversation before the season. At a powerfully built 6-foot-5 with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, the 19-year-old gives off some Lu Dort vibes, though his skill set lags behind his athletic gifts.
If Graham wants to continue with the physically gifted two-way player archetype, Yessoufou could potentially become his new Herb Jones.
No. 56: Billy Richmond III, Wing, Arkansas
Billy Richmond III is a lanky 6-foot-5 wing tailor-made to play as a high-energy glue guy. He filled that role for the Razorbacks under John Calipari as a sophomore this past season.
The 20-year-old is an elite athlete willing to guard, run, and thrive in a chaotic style of basketball. He should stick in the league even if his offense never comes around.
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