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Why Trail Blazers making the playoffs is excellent news for Bulls
TL;DR
The Portland Trail Blazers secured a playoff spot by defeating the Phoenix Suns, which benefits the Chicago Bulls by granting them an extra first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. This pick is a result of the Lauri Markkanen trade in 2021.
Why Trail Blazers making the playoffs is excellent news for Bulls originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Bulls should send a thank you card to the Portland Trail Blazers.
With their 114-110 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Play-In Tournament on Wednesday night, the Blazers officially clinched a spot in the postseasonĀ ā and delivered the Bulls an extra first-round pick in the process.
Bulls receive Blazers first-round pick in 2026 NBA Draft
The Bulls were owed a first-round pick from Portland dating back to theĀ Lauri MarkkanenĀ trade in 2021. The pick was lottery-protected, and since the Blazers have been in the lottery every year since '21, they held onto the pick.
But since they made the playoffs, the Blazers won't land in the lottery this year, and thus the pick finally transferred to Chicago.
The Bulls now have two first-round picks in the highly-hyped 2026 draft: Their own and Portland's, which will expected to come in at No. 15 or 16. Overall, the Bulls areĀ expected to have four picks in the draft.
That's some serious draft capital for a team that could desperately use an infusion of young talent. Nailing the two first-rounders could help to jumpstart a rebuild for a Bulls team that hasn't won a playoff series since 2015.
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Q&A
How did the Trail Blazers' playoff spot affect the Bulls?
The Trail Blazers' playoff spot allowed the Bulls to receive an extra first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
What was the reason for the Bulls receiving a first-round pick from the Blazers?
The Bulls are receiving the first-round pick from the Blazers as part of the Lauri Markkanen trade that occurred in 2021.
Is the first-round pick from the Blazers lottery-protected?
Yes, the first-round pick from the Blazers was lottery-protected, which is why it was not previously transferred to the Bulls until now.