For fans of the Chicago Bulls, the immediate point of intrigue is likely the search for their next head coach. While that is underway, though, fans will also be looking ahead to the NBA Draft, which will take place on June 23 and 24 in Barclay's Center in Brooklyn.
The Bulls' draft plans will certainly carry lots of excitement over the next few weeks. Chicago is currently in possession of the 4th and 15th overall picks in the first round. There's room to package those to trade up if they so wish. But even if they stay put, they should exit the Draft with a pair of exciting additions to their budding young core.
All of this excitement, though, leaves little room to talk about their second-round selections, which are currently slated at 38th overall (via New Orleans) and 56th overall (via Denver). As the league's new CBA has taken shape, second-round picks have become more important than ever. Just this past season, we saw a number of second-round selections make major waves on their respective teams even as rookies.
The key to Chicago nailing the Draft, therefore, lies partially in the choices they make in the second round. Unfortunately, two intriguing targets just declared their intention to return to college, thinning the Bulls' options, especially at 38th overall.
Tyler Tanner and Tounde Yessoufou will not participate in the 2026 NBA Draft
No matter what way Chicago goes with their two first-round selections, virtually everything will be on the table in the second round. Their roster is that wide open.
Both Tanner and Yessoufou would have been intriguing additions.
Tanner just rounded off a highly productive sophomore campaign at Vanderbilt, averaging 19.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc. Tanner is a combo guard with high playmaking and perimeter shooting upside. He was projected to go towards the start of the second round, and he would've been an excellent addition to the Bulls' backcourt.
Yessoufu, for his part, has the makings of an energetic 3-and-D wing when he eventually makes the leap to the NBA level. Across 34 games during his freshman season at Baylor, he averaged 17.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 29.3% from 3-point range. He needs to become more consistent as a scorer, but he would've fit in perfectly with Bryson Graham's emphasis on defense and athleticism if he was available at 38th overall.
It's not as though the Bulls will be without options at that point. But in the modern era of NIL, players in that range are often better off returning to college rather than taking a small salary on a potential two-way deal at the NBA level.
Tanner and Yessoufu will now attempt to elevate their draft stocks in anticipation of 2027, and the Bulls pickings have gotten slightly slimmer at a pivotal point in the Draft.
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