The Chicago Bulls have their work cut out for them in the 2026 NBA Draft.
After stripping down the roster at this past trade deadline, they have needs at virtually every position. Thankfully, the NBA Draft Lottery blessed them with some luck, bumping them into the top-four in a Draft where that pick should yield a highly impressive talent. They'll need to decide if they're willing to trade up, but one of Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson should be available at that spot if they stay put.
Much of the intrigue between now and the Draft will center around that selection. But it can't be forgotten that Chicago is also in possession of the 15th overall pick as a result of their trade with the Portland Trail Blazers last year.
If their top pick yields a high-upside offensive talent, therefore, it's likely the Bulls must seek out a center with their second-highest selection. Chicago moved on from Nikola Vucevic this past season. The five-spot, independent of talent, represents their most glaring need this in the Draft.
It would be unreasonable to take a center at fourth overall, but ESPN's latest mock draft spotlights just how many options might be available to them at 15.
Bulls can easily grab their center of the future at 15th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft
Moving on from Vucevic was undeniably the right move. His contract was inflated from the start, and Chicago now has full financial flexibility to re-shape their roster this offseason. They now, however, lack a proven starter at the position. Nick Richards is a free agent, and Jalen Smith cannot be their sole option to protect the rim.
Thankfully, it's a need they should be able to fill outside of the lottery.
ESPN's latest mock draft, drawn up by Jeremy Woo, has Aday Mara out of Michigan and Jayden Quaintance out of Kentucky lined up at 14th and 15th overall.
Mara has impressed so far through the pre-draft process, and his combination of impressive height and athleticism make him an intriguing prospect in that range. It's possible he rises up draft boards between now and June 23, but he's someone Chicago should take a long look at if he's available at 15.
Quaintance struggled with injuries as a sophomore at Kentucky, appearing in just four games as he attempted to return from the severe right knee injury that ended his freshman season at Arizona State. But the tools are there for Quaintance to still be the top center in this draft class.
If the Bulls are willing to go for a smaller archetype, there a number of forward/center combos that will be available in that range as well.
Chris Cenac Jr. out of Houston has been a polarizing prospect all season, but at 6'11", there will be a team willing to take a swing on him in the first round. Morez Johnson Jr. is more polished and played an integral 'glue-guy' role en route to Michigan's national title, but his ceiling and upside as a rim protector is likely more limited.
Cenac and Johnson would be the two best fits, but don't count out Washington's Hannes Steinbach in that range either.
Depending on how their pick at fourth overall lands, Chicago might be looking for a more dynamic guard in this range. But if the stars line up, the opportunity will be there for them to fill their most glaring need at 15th.
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