It’s not that the Chicago Bulls' new 2026-27 rookie crop of forward Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain aren’t interesting or exciting.
Rather, it’s the grind of the NBA scouting and draft community consistently delivering early insights into NBA prospects that are effectively “up next”. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic published an in-depth early analysis (subscription required) of prospects likely to be top-ranked prospects or declare for the 2027 NBA Draft.
Here's my best guess at a 2027 NBA Mock Draft.
— Sam Vecenie (@Sam_Vecenie) June 25, 2026
Wrote ~45 or so names here. To say that this thing is unsettled right now is an understatement.
Think you could tell me at least 20 of the top-30 are not in next year's class, and I wouldn't be stunned.https://t.co/GzqNPDm1fm
Unlike the gift that was the 2026 NBA Draft, the Bulls only own one first-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft, barring a blockbuster trade that returns a 2027 first-round draft pick to the Bulls.
Moreover, the 2027 NBA Draft is considered to be a lower-quality draft relative to the 2026 NBA Draft in terms of forecasting prospect talent depth, a point Vecenie himself acknowledges in his column for The Athletic.
As great as the circumstances landed for the Bulls in the 2026 NBA Draft, it appears that the 2027 NBA Draft will be the draft that ultimately tests the scouting chops and draft process of Bulls lead front office executive, Bryson Graham, and his staff.
As a prerequisite to discussing notable 2027 draft prospects that might benefit the Bulls, it’s important to consider who, at a minimum, may be departed from the Bulls roster by the time the Bulls are on the clock of the 2027 NBA Draft. Forwards Jalen Smith and Leonard Miller will become unrestricted free agents during the 2027 NBA offseason, barring a Bulls extension.
Guard Isaac Okoro will also become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the Bulls' 2026-27 NBA season, and these presumed roster voids will certainly inform how the Bulls approach constructing a 2027 NBA Draft board, given the potential departure of length and shooting in Smith, length in Miller, and the nominal defensive contributions of Okoro.
Names that should be on the Bulls' 2027 NBA Draft board
Based on Vecenie's analysis, the Bulls board should start with Kansas Jayhawks wing Tyran Stokes, who is considered the definitive number one prospect in the 2027 NBA Draft class until further notice.
Stokes is 6’7” and 19 years old, so that profile should put him in the best player available tier of draft prospects. Vecenie lauds Stokes for his downhill offensive abilities and passing. Watching Stokes highlight are nothing short of electrifying, and it’s feasible to see Stokes growing into a high-level primary creator given his offensive versatility in scoring and passing.
Aside from Stokes, another wing that merits Bulls scouting consideration for the 2027 draft is Duke Blue Devils wing Dame Sarr. Sarr is a 6’8” 20-year-old and has ACC conference All-Defense team accolades to his name. There are never enough wings for an NBA roster!
The Bulls should also consider scouting Sarr’s Duke teammate, Patrick Ngongba II, who is a 6’11” center for the Blue Devils. Ngongba II is a risk/reward prospect given his size, and also he’s had frequent foot injuries (seven according to Vecneie) that should give pause in the Bulls draft process to ensure they do a thorough due diligence on his medical health.
Finally, the Bulls should reserve a spot on their 2027 NBA Draft board for a name that should ring bells in Bryson Graham’s mind, Dash Daniels, a 6’5” Australian wing and the brother of Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels. Graham worked with Daniels in both his tenures in the New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks front offices.
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