How the Bulls Can Secure a Bright Future with Their Draft Plans

The Chicago Bulls have a huge opportunity to add a high-level scorer to their roster with the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. This can be Caleb Wilson, Cameron Boozer, or Darius Acuff Jr., who will add another scorer to play alongside Matas Buzelis if they transition well to the league.

With the No. 15 pick or in the second round, the Bulls must acquire a big man with defensive upside who can be fed in the post. This will help the Bulls' defense, which struggled compared to the rest of the league when it came to opponent points in the paint.

The Bulls can execute this plan and build a talented and well-rounded roster, including a starting lineup that consists of Josh Giddey, Buzelis, Wilson/Boozer/Acuff, and a big man with defensive upside who can play in the post.

This lineup will bring defense, helping resolve paint protection issues, and scoring, which the Bulls need more of. With the right picks, the Bulls can have a successful roster and achieve their goals in the 2026-2027 NBA season.

The Bulls' current scoring situation is a concern, as they finished 12th in the league in points per game in the regular season (116.3). However, no player stood out on the offensive end on a night-to-night basis.

By having the No. 4 pick, the Bulls have a huge opportunity to add a high-level scorer to the roster. The teams above the Bulls in points per game, who had multiple players average 20+ points per game, were the Cavaliers, Spurs, Thunder, and Pistons.

The Cavaliers had James Harden and Donovan Mitchell in the 20+ points per game category, but Harden only logged 26 games with the Cavs. The Thunder, Pistons, and Spurs had the top three defensive ratings in the regular season. The Bulls, meanwhile, ranked 22nd.

If the Bulls draft a talented center on the defensive end, they can do a better job of protecting the paint. A forward like Wilson or Boozer can help with this as well, especially Wilson, who averaged 1.4 blocks and 1.5 steals per game in the 2025-26 season for UNC.

The Bulls also need more depth and consistency at the five position. Nick Richards can be a good backup option. In 20 games with the Bulls, he averaged 9.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game.

Depending on how the draft plays out, this could be a player like Aday Mara or a later pick like Tarris Reed Jr.

Why this roster can be successful.

This lineup will bring defense and scoring to the table, resolving paint protection issues and providing a better night-to-night scorer. With the right picks, the Bulls can have a successful roster and achieve their goals in the 2026-2027 NBA season.