Who are the Most Ideal Targets for the Bulls in the 2026 NBA Draft? Looking at Their Options at Both 4 & 15
The Chicago Bulls certainly had the basketball gods on their side during the NBA Draft Lottery, as they jumped up 5 spots from being projected to get the 9th overall pick, to ending up with one of those highly coveted top-4 picks at 4th overall. On top of that, they also got an additional first round pick this year from the Portland Trail Blazers, who lost their lottery protected pick by making it into the NBA playoffs this season. But which players in this generational draft class would help turn the Bulls back into a top team in the East? Lets take a look!
Pick #4:
Darryn Peterson - PG (Kansas)
Freshman
Ht: 6’5”
Wt: 200 LBS
College Stats: 20.2 PPG/4.2 RPG/ 1.6 APG/43.8 FG%/38.2 3P%
While it is highly unlikely that Peterson falls past the 2nd overall pick, he does have some slightly concerning injury history, which may cause him to drop a bit. If that does in fact happen, it would be an obvious pick for Chicago to make.
Cameron Boozer - F (Duke)
Freshman
Ht: 6”8”
Wt: 250 LBS
College Stats: 22.5 PPG/10.2 RPG/4.1 APG/55.6 FG%/39.1 3P%
Boozer is widely considered to be the safest pick amongst the top four. He has great size at the PF and his production at Duke speaks for itself. I think that if he made it to the Bulls at four, he and Matas Buzelis would make a lethal frontcourt duo for many years to come. Some analysts even have him going first overall to Washington, that’s how close the skill gap is between all of these top guys.
Caleb Wilson - F (North Carolina)
Freshman
Ht: 6’9”
Wt: 210 LBS
College Stats: 19.8 PPG/9.4 RPG/2.7 APG/57.8 FG%/25.9 3P%
Wilson is the consensus pick to still be their for Chicago at 4, and consulation prizes don’t get much better than him. He is an elite athlete with a sky-high ceiling thanks to his offensive production last year at North Carolina. But he still has plenty of room to grow with his 3-point shooting and defense. If he can figure out how to put it all together, he has superstar potential written all over him. This is who I predict the Bulls will end up taking at number 4 on draft night.
Pick #15:
Yaxel Lendeborg - F (Michigan)
Senior
Ht: 6’9”
Wt: 241 LBS
College Stats: 15.1 PPG/6.8 RPG/3.2 APG/51.5 FG%/37.2 3P%
Lendeborg would give the Bulls a true instant starter in their frontcourt. His wversatility and willingness to impact winning without a heavy work load makes him a seamless fit alongside Matas Buzelis.
Labaron Philon - G (Alabama)
Freshman
Ht: 6’3”
Wt: 175 LBS
College Stats: 22.0 PPG/3.5 RPG/5.0 APG/50.1 FG%/39.9 3P%
Philon is the type of shot-creator that Chicago has been lacking for the past few years. He is able to run the offense and score in a variety of ways. He deos lack a bit on defense in large part due to his small frame so the Bulls would need to have much more size around him while he is on the court.
Jayden Quaintance - C (Kentucky)
Sophomore
Ht: 6’9”
Wt: 255 LBS
College Stats: Missed Season Due to Injury
Quaintance would definitely be one of the top picks in this draft class if it wasn’t for one thing - his major injury concerns. He brings the defensive ceiling and athleticism that the Bulls desperately need and if he can stay healthy throughout his career, he could very well be another franchise superstar that Chicago can pair with whoever they take at number 4 this year.
