Chicago Bulls' Biggest Needs Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft
The Chicago Bulls have pivoted to a rebuild and should probably take the best player available with all four of their draft selections.
The biggest position of need?
Center.
Jalen Smith is the only center-ish player on the roster for next season, although he logged 32 percent of his minutes at power forward last year.
The bad news for Chicago is that this isn't a center-rich draft. Caleb Wilson is the overwhelming favorite to go to the Bulls at No. 4, although his 6'9", 210-pound frame screams forward more than it does small-ball five.
The Bulls should hope that Michigan's Aday Mara falls to them at 15, as his 7'3" frame and 7'6" wingspan could anchor their defense for years to come.
2025-26 Record: 31-51
Draft Picks: 4, 15, 38, 56
Caleb Wilson
The days and weeks before the NBA draft are absolutely loaded with rumors, and the possibility of Caleb Wilson crashing into the top three has been a persistent one.
The more likely scenario is that AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson and Cam Boozer (in whatever order) fill those spots and Wilson "falls" to the Bulls.
In that case, Chicago would get one of the highest-upside players in the class. Wilson has the potential to be an absolute monster as an interior scorer and multi-positional defender.
He may have enough perimeter skill to one day develop into something of a 3-4 too. Regardless, for a team that entered the lottery with the ninth-worst record in the league, this was one heck of an outcome for the Bulls.
Consistent Shooting
Chicago was ninth in the league in threes made per game, but they were below average in three-point percentage.
For a team run by Josh Giddey, a volume playmaker without the most reliable three-point shot, more dangerous catch-and-shoot threats around him are crucial.
Perimeter Defense
The Bulls' build shouldn't be based entirely on Giddey's weaknesses, but his perimeter defense is another one worth considering.
Wilson (assuming he gets there) and his potential rim protection could help the overall defense, but Chicago also needs to do a better job of containing players outside.
