The Chicago Bulls have acquired a first-round pick after the Portland Trail Blazers officially clinched a playoff spot.
The Bulls originally acquired a future first-round pick from a three-team deal involving Lauri Markkanen in 2021. The pick was lottery-protected, and since the Trail Blazers did not make the playoffs until this year, the pick has continually been pushed back. But after the Trail Blazers defeated the Phoenix Suns in the play-in game on Tuesday to clinch the No. 7 spot in the Western Conference playoff standings, the Bulls will officially get their upcoming draft pick in the 2026 NBA entry draft.
As of this time of writing, the pick is guaranteed to be either the 15th or 16th overall pick. If the Suns beat the winner of the play-in game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers, the additional Bulls’ pick will be 15th overall. If the Warriors advance, then the Bulls will get the 16th overall pick. If the Clippers defeat the Warriors and Suns to advance to the playoffs, however, there will be a coin flip to determine if the draft pick is 15th or 16th overall, since the Trail Blazers and Clippers had the same record.
Chicago Bulls Have Two 1st-Round Picks This Year
The Bulls now have two first-round picks this year after the Trail Blazers’ pick was conveyed. In addition to the Trail Blazers’ pick, which will be either 15th or 16th overall, the Bulls also have their own first-round pick, which right now is slated to be No. 9 overall in the draft. There is always a chance the Bulls could get lucky and move up in the lottery, but right now, the Bulls are guaranteed to have two picks in the top 20 of the draft, which will help the team as they embark on a rebuild. In addition, they are expected to have two second-round picks in this year’s draft.
Bulls Rebuilding After Firing Vice President, GM
The Bulls recently fired Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas and General Manager Marc Eversley after they missed the playoffs for the fourth straight season and for the eighth time in the last nine years. Considering the Bulls were once the premier franchise in the NBA during the Michael Jordan days, it has been hard to watch them become one of the worst teams in the league.
The good news for the Bulls is that they now have two first-round picks in this year’s NBA draft that will help them with their rebuild. They will be able to add two young and talented players to their core, which at this point includes just Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey. Otherwise, the Bulls’ roster is fluid, given that the team has several players who are either free agents or potential trade fodder. This offseason, look for the Bulls to try to move former top draft pick Patrick Williams and his bloated contract in a trade. Since the Bulls are projected to have tons of cap room, the team could also take on additional bad salary from other teams if they attach draft picks as trade bait for the Bulls to take their money.
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