It’s not hard to see what the Chicago Bulls’ roster is missing. For one, their defense has been consistently poor over the past few seasons, and while there’s no single fix for a struggling unit, one element stands out as essential for any quality defensive team: a defensive anchor.
While length and scheme certainly matter, every team ranked in the top 10 in defensive rating, except the Golden State Warriors, features an intimidating interior defensive presence. A strong rim protector is arguably the fastest way to build a staunch defense. Just look at the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Houston Rockets—all of whom rapidly improved defensively by prioritizing size.
The Bulls have some size, with Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic all standing 6-foot-8 or taller. However, among the three, only Buzelis profiles as a strong defender, and even he is more of a weakside shot-blocker than a true rim protector. Not to mention, 35-year-old Vucevic likely won’t be around beyond this season.
Top big men prospects poised to go early in 2026 draft
So how can the Bulls acquire a coveted interior presence? Through free agency or a trade? Sure, it’s possible, but the best solution lies in the much-anticipated 2026 NBA Draft. However, there’s a catch. Most of the top bigs are expected to go early.
In mock drafts from Bleacher Report, FanSided, and No Ceilings, top forward/center prospects like Duke’s Cameron Boozer, North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson, Arizona’s Koa Peat, and Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance mostly went within the top 10—though Quaintance ranked 12th on FanSided’s Big Board.
The Bulls haven’t selected in the top 10 since 2020, when they took Patrick Williams fourth overall. Despite making the playoffs once since then, Chicago hasn’t picked higher than 11th. Stuck in the middle of the pack, mediocrity has followed. Buzelis, drafted 11th, could be a steal—but it’s nearly impossible to build a contender when your picks consistently fall in the late lottery.
This brings us to a harsh reality. Chicago has been focused on maintaining its “competitive integrity,” but at what cost? Do the Bulls really want to miss out on a stellar class of prospects just to make the Play-In Tournament for the fourth straight season? They shouldn’t.
Boozer, Wilson, Peat, and Quaintance are too good to pass up. While Boozer and Wilson are all but guaranteed to go in the top four, Peat is projected between six and eight, and Quaintance between five and twelve. The Bulls could secure a game-changing interior presence—if, and it’s a big if, they fully commit to a rebuild rather than chasing a meaningless Play-In appearance.
Locking a top-10 pick might seem simple—but this is the Bulls we’re talking about. Just a season ago, Chicago traded to get back its top-10 protected first-round pick from the San Antonio Spurs, because they seemingly expected to land between 10th and 14th. Rather than tanking like the Sixers and Nets, who both finished in the top eight, Chicago pushed its luck—winning 15 of its last 20 games and landing 12th.
It’s a simple proposition, but at the same time, an unnerving one. The Bulls are set up for a rebuild, but if they fail to secure a top-10 pick, this prolonged rebuild could be extended even further.
