While the Chicago Bulls may not have their sights set on the NBA Draft and instead seem infatuated with a postseason appearance, there is assuredly a sizable portion of the fanbase looking ahead to the possibility of adding a shiny new prize from the loaded 2026 draft class.
As it stands, the Bulls are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for 13th in draft positioning, with both teams sitting at 15–17. As a result, Chicago is projected to select a lottery prospect for the third consecutive season, which isn’t necessarily the worst outcome. However, looking ahead to 2026, the stakes rise considerably. The Bulls are on the verge of a full-scale rebuild, and nailing their next draft pick will go a long way toward shaping the franchise’s future.
What has stood out most—and continues to stand out—is the Bulls’ lack of frontcourt depth. Chicago essentially relies on a trio of bigs, two of whom are on expiring contracts: 35-year-old Nikola Vučević and 28-year-old Zach Collins. The lone remaining big beyond this season is 25-year-old Jalen Smith.
Mock draft has bulls adding Washington big Hannes Steinbach
With the Bulls having recently prioritized forwards and made their most prominent investment at point guard in Josh Giddey, addressing the frontcourt should be a priority this offseason. That logic is reflected in Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft, which pairs Washington big man Hannes Steinbach with Chicago at No. 14.
When assessing Steinbach as a prospect, Bleacher Report writes, “…Steinbach's production has been consistent and earned by using size, touch, instincts and exceptional body control in transition. Games like his 24-point, 16-rebound effort against USC, when he also made two threes and delivered three assists, could help teams picture significant offensive upside.”
Later on, Bleacher Report noted Steinbach’s lack of verticality and questioned his defensive fit, but pointed to the success of Alperen Şengün and Derik Queen as highly skilled, below-the-rim bigs as a reason for believing in Steinbach as a prospect.
While the Bulls have sorely missed an athletic, shot-blocking five, Steinbach still fits the broader theoretical mold and brings significant upside, especially in the late lottery. Through 10 appearances, the 19-year-old is averaging 18.1 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.0 blocks, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 three-pointers per game. No other player is matching that level of all-around production, and only two other freshmen (projected top-five picks Cam Boozer and Caleb Wilson) are even averaging double-doubles.
Moreover, any defensive concerns about Steinbach are likely overblown. He isn’t a standout athlete and doesn’t post gaudy shot-blocking numbers, but he’s strong, moves his feet well, and is highly instinctual. Bulls fans shouldn’t expect the German-born big to be Vucevic 2.0 (at least, defensively). Being compared to a two-time All-Star isn’t exactly a bad thing, but it’s well-known that Bulls fans aren’t eager for more Vucevic in the years ahead.
Bleacher Report compared Steinbach to another German-born, former collegiate player, Mo Wagner. Wagner, of course, played three seasons at Michigan, averaging 14.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.6 three-pointers per game as a junior. While the comparison is somewhat apt, it’s not perfect: Steinbach is posting an impressive stat line as a freshman, whereas Wagner averaged just 8.6 minutes per game in his first season at Ann Arbor.
In the end, Steinbach would be a quality addition for Chicago—a team desperately in need of a rejuvenated frontcourt. He might not be the ideal defensive centerpiece, but at this point in the draft, few fit that profile, aside from perhaps Houston’s Chris Cenac or Michigan’s Aday Mara.