Since Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley took over as the Chicago Bulls’ lead decision-makers in 2020, their first-round picks have been Patrick Williams, Dalen Terry, Matas Buzelis, and, most recently, Noa Essengue.
Chicago’s draft approach: Same as always
If Karnišovas and Eversley’s preferred archetype isn’t already clear, their first-round selections help paint a pristine picture. AKME has consistently targeted raw, rangy wings whose athletic traits outweigh their pre-draft skillsets.
The decision-making duo’s gambles haven’t exactly paid off, with Buzelis perhaps the only one who has consistently flashed the ability to reach his ceiling. Williams—drafted at 18 after a ho-hum lone college season—has stalled out, posting career lows across the board in his sixth year. Terry, now 183 games into his NBA career, remains raw offensively. And while Essengue’s rookie season was cut short by injury, it was understood from the outset that he would be a long-term project as the second-youngest player in the 2025 draft class.
In fact, leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft, there were rumblings that Chicago might take Maryland’s Derik Queen with the No. 12 pick. But concerns about his limited athleticism and defensive shortcomings ultimately deterred AKME from anointing the uber-skilled big man as their first-round choice.
A little over a month into the season, the Bulls surely regret that decision. Queen is fresh off a 33-point, 10-rebound, 10-assist, 4-block performance and is now averaging 12.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on the year. Despite lacking the flashy upside that scared some teams off on draft night, he’s been a clear bright spot for the Pelicans—while Essengue will finish his rookie campaign without a single point to his name.
In today’s NBA, where skill matters more than ever, it may be the right time for AKME to rethink its approach, and, according to Jonathan Wasserman’s latest mock draft, that shift could come in 2026.
Karim Lopez represents the Bulls’ new reality
With the 11th pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, Wasserman projects the Bulls to select New Zealand Breakers forward Karim Lopez. The Mexican national is averaging 11.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 blocks and steals in just 23.6 minutes per game.
Lopez’s numbers are eerily similar to Queen’s at Maryland, but context matters: Queen put up his stats as a 20-year-old freshman, while Lopez is producing at just 18 in one of the world’s top five professional leagues. A slightly lower stat line doesn’t make him any less worthy of a lottery selection.
Before veering too far off, back to the original comparison: though only 18, Lopez already leans heavily on skill, fundamentals, and patience. His edge comes from footwork and physicality, not sheer athleticism.
Standing 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, Lopez possesses ball-handling chops and dexterity in the open floor. He's also extremely physical, capable of setting hard screens and obtaining deep post position using his strong frame. Moreover, he's shooting 41.8 percent on 3.2 three-pointers per game.
Lopez represents the type of prospect the Bulls have largely avoided in recent years. He may not post elite combine numbers or eye-catching measurements, but he passes the eye test. Even at only 19 (when he'll be drafted), he’s the kind of player who could contribute immediately at the next level.