As it stands, the Chicago Bulls' decision at fourth overall in the 2026 NBA Draft is largely out of their hands. The three teams above them— the Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz, and Memphis Grizzlies— will get to the determine which of the consensus top-four prospects falls into Chicago's lap.
It's not as though the Bulls' jump in the Draft Lottery wasn't a major gift. For a team setting out on what appears to be a long-term rebuild, a jump into the top-four in this class can't be taken lightly. But given the needs of their roster and the long-term vision of new lead executive Bryson Graham, one can't help but envision a scenario where Darryn Peterson, the only prospect out of the top-four that doesn't have an immediately clear fit within this plan, is the one left for Chicago at fourth overall.
Even despite the doubts surrounding his health and questions concerning his availability during his time at Kansas, Peterson is an excellent prospect. But Chicago would be much better served by taking a forward like Cameron Boozer or Caleb Wilson.
At one point, the Bulls had no real path to avoiding Peterson at four. But recently, there's been some major buzz surrounding the Wizards taking Peterson first overall. It would be a controversial move, but it would immediately save Chicago's draft hopes.
Bulls must hope the Wizards take a swing on Darryn Peterson at fourth overall
In Jeremy Woo's latest mock draft of ESPN, he aptly summarized the ongoing saga with Peterson and Washington. Peterson has refused to take workouts with other teams, and it appears as though he's definitely in play to be taken by the Wizards in that slot.
"Peterson has informed the Jazz that he plans to take no further team visits, signaling that he is comfortable with his position and prefers to hear his name called at No. 1 with Washington. He has made himself accessible to the Wizards, previously meeting with them in Los Angeles, and has conducted multiple on-court workouts in front of Washington's decision-makers. Peterson wants to play point guard at the next level, but the presence of Trae Young in Washington is not viewed as an impediment." Jeremy Woo, ESPN
At the start of the college season, this news wouldn't have come as a major surprise, nor would it have been controversial in the slightest. Peterson is the most dynamic guard in the class, and he has fluid athleticism and shot-making abilities that could quickly make him the primary option on an NBA team. When he was available for Kansas this season, he averaged 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 38.2% from beyond the arc.
But he missed large swathes of his freshman campaign with a mysterious injury issue, which was later revealed to be full-body cramping in addition to the hamstring problems he faced throughout the season. There was, therefore, a time where AJ Dybantsa out of BYU was considered the consensus first-overall pick.
But if Washington is set on taking Peterson at first overall, and not just throwing out smoke screens as we get nearer to the Draft, that leaves the Bulls in an infinitely better position. Peterson has long-term defensive upside, but with Giddey on the roster and Graham's emphasis on size and athleticism, all three of Boozer, Wilson, and Dybantsa are better fits.
If Peterson goes first overall to the Wizards, Dybantsa would almost certainly go second overall to the Jazz. Utah's affinitiy for the BYU alum is well-chronicled.
That would leave the Bulls with either Boozer or Wilson. Boozer is the most polished big in this class, and he would serve as an immediate boon for Chicago's offense. Although Wilson has much less polish as a prospect, he also has ridiculously high upside, with his 6'9.25" frame and 7'0.25" wingspan leaving room for some high comparisons athletically.
The Bulls must hope, therefore, that the Wizards' ties to Peterson at first overall aren't simply an illusion.
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