Chicago Bulls address two big needs in latest mock 2026 NBA Draft

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Chicago Bulls address two big needs in latest mock 2026 NBA Draft

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Pearson | Last updated May 8, 2026 11:03 AM ET

As the Chicago Bulls officially usher in a new era, the next steps in the offseason will be the 2026 NBA Draft as well as free agency. Chicago’s roster right now needs to be revamped and with a new regime in, it almost feels like no one is untouchable.

Ideally, Chicago continues to build around Matas Buzelis but in terms of draft prep, they really can’t rule out any position.

Chicago will have two first-round picks in this year’s draft and one has a slim potential of being in the top four. The Bulls will need a lot of lick for that to happen but it would land them a potential superstar. For now though, most mock drafts are operating with the Bulls staying put. That includes the latest from Bleacher Report which has a big shocker in Oklahoma city going to No. 1. They do have the Bears at No. 10 and No. 15 overall and with those picks, they have them addressing two needs.

Chicago Bulls address two needs in latest mock draft

Apr 6, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines center Aday Mara (15) reacts after a play against the UConn Huskies during the first half in the national championship of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament between the and the Michigan Wolverines at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

In Zach Buckley’s latest mock draft, he has the Bulls taking Arizona guard Brayden Burries and then Michigan center Aday Mara. The Bulls are in need of a point guard as well of a center, so this makes a lot of sense. Here is what he said about Burries at No. 10 overall:

Buries doesn’t play the flashiest game, but that shouldn’t be confused for a lack of upside. Even if he settles into a support role early in his career—assuming the Bulls have other players worth supporting—he could rise above that if his flashes of high-level shot-creation show up often enough for him to be entrusted as a primary creator.

For now, he projects more as the kind of versatile role player who impresses not for razor-sharp strengths but rather a dearth of weaknesses. He is physical; he plays hard and he just spent an entire season showing he can contribute a large number of winning plays.

And here is what he had to say about Mara:

With the Bulls essentially starting from scratch, it might make sense to fortify their interior as they build out this roster. Mara can help make that happen as a 7’3″ mountain in the middle.

He does all of the interior things his frame would suggest he should do, protecting the paint, crushing lobs and getting after it on the glass. But he’s also more mobile than you’d expect. He can pick apart defenses with great feel and vision as a passer.

It’s hard to project picks right now in terms of what they will turn out to be. But this does feel like a good route to go for a franchise that is in another rebuild here in 2026.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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