The NBA draft lottery has come and gone, and now, we know that the Chicago Bulls, luckily, will have the No. 4 selection in the draft.
It was a blessed draw, so perhaps Bryson Graham, the Chicago Bulls’ new executive vice president of basketball operations, is bringing some good luck to a franchise primed for a comeback. We’ll take it.
Now, the Chicago Bulls have not one by two Top 15 picks in the event and the biggest expected cap space in the NBA going into the 2026-27 season, so things are looking up for this franchise that’s in need of a rebuild.
My Analysis: Chicago Bulls May Have Found a New Star
When it comes to the Chicago Bulls’ first selection in the draft, one player is emerging as an obvious favorite. That player is Caleb Wilson of North Carolina. We dare you to find a post-lottery mock that doesn’t pair the Bulls with Wilson.
It’s easy to see why Wilson would make for a solid fit with the Bulls. While he’s not as sophisticated a player, yet, as some others high up in the draft, Wilson is a six-foot-ten big man who has shown an explosiveness on the court that would immediately benefit the Chicago Bulls.
Wilson is an athletic prospect who is a bit rough around the edges and certainly has some learning to do, but even if it takes him time to fit into the NBA landscape, he’ll offer a quick impact because of his strong athleticism. He has a fiery athleticism and wild versatility on the court that could even make him the face of the franchise down the road. Also, not that it means as much as his numbers, but Wilson is also just plain fun to watch.
In a mock out on Sunday, May 10, after the NBA draft lottery, Jeremy Woo of ESPN pairs Wilson with the Bulls.
“In addition to being viewed as a consensus top-four prospect, Wilson is an excellent fit with Chicago’s existing talent, representing a high-flying frontcourt option with room to grow,” he states in the piece.
He adds: “His season ended early because of a pair of hand injuries, but that didn’t impact his momentum as a top-four selection, as teams fell in love with his motor, explosiveness and potential as a two-way impact player.”
Cameron Salerno of CBS Sports also predicts a Bulls-Wilson pairing and says Chicago has the “easiest pick of draft night.”
“Take whoever falls from the top four prospects in the class. In this exercise, it’s Wilson,” he states. “There’s a chance Memphis falls in love with Wilson and leaves Boozer for Chicago, but if the board aligns with consensus, Wilson will be a Bull. Chicago was one of the biggest winners of the draft lottery after starting the day with the ninth-best odds to pick No. 1.”
That last part is a bit worrisome. Memphis could snag Wilson instead of Cameron Boozer at No. 3, but if they don’t, the Bulls won’t even have to think twice about making this move.
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