Chicago Bulls NBA mock draft: latest predictions before 2026 playoffs

The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.

With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.

As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.

The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.

Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 9 pick will play out with Chicago Bulls making the selection.

Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.

Chicago Bulls 2026 projected draft picks

• No. 9, No. 15 (via POR), No. 38 (via NO) and No. 56 (via DEN)

Chicago Bulls 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 9 overall, Brayden Burries, G, Arizona

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries was an exciting prospect to watch during the Big Dance, making it all the way to the Final Four and dropping 23 points against Arkansas. He had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. He has proven productivity, and he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble. Burries would make a great pick for whatever new executives take over the front office for the Bulls.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft 10.0 here

Brayden Burries player profile

(all stats as of April 8)

• Position: Guard
• Current Team: Arizona
• 15.9 points per game
• 4.7 rebounds per game
• 2.6 assists per game
• 49.2 field goal percentage
• 36.7 three-point field goal percentage

Chicago Bulls 2026 NBA Draft prediction: Pick No. 15 overall, Nate Ament, F, Tennessee

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

The Chicago Bulls will receive this pick if the Portland Trail Blazers advance in the play-in tournament. After a relatively slow and inefficient start to the season, Tennessee freshman Nate Ament started to realize some of his lofty expectations. The freshman averaged 21.6 points per game, while shooting 38.9 percent on 3-pointers, during a 13-game stretch before an injury against Alabama on Feb. 28. The All-SEC forward then had 27 points (4-of-6 on 3-pointers) with eight rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal against Auburn on March 12. He was not as efficient during March Madness, but it will only take one team to fall in love with Ament, and that team is likely picking near the lottery.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft 10.0 here

Nate Ament player profile

(all stats as of April 8)

• Position: Forward
• Current Team: Tennessee
• 17.5 points per game
• 6.6 rebounds per game
• 2.5 assists per game
• 40.5 field goal percentage
• 33.1 three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Chicago Bulls NBA mock draft: latest predictions before 2026 playoffs