"The up-and-down Chicago Bulls are coming off their worst loss of the NBA season to the Miami Heat on Sunday, and with a 24-26 record, are now precariously close to being lapped by both the 24-27 Atlanta Hawks and the 22-28 Charlotte Hornets. There's a chance Chicago falls out of the play-in tournament running entirely. If that does happen, the 2026 NBA Draft boasts a supposedly loaded arsenal of young talent. Thursday's trade deadline should firmly establish how Chicago approaches the draft."
"The Bulls could have two first-round picks at their disposal, should Portland manage to make the playoffs. For now, the 23-27 Trail Blazers are the No. 10 seed in the West. Center Jayden Quaintance has long been considered one of the best big man prospects heading into this summer. However, he's grappling with swelling in his surgically repaired knee, and has been shut down entirely since Jan. 7. Pundits may still think highly of him, but as a weary Bulls fan, this writer is knocking him down several pegs."
"Our latest draft is built around numbers from Tankathon. This time, we have Chicago selecting a star from our own backyard. 6-foot-6 Illinois guard Keaton Wagler has been rising quickly. He followed up his 46-point outburst over Purdue with efficient, 20-point-plus scoring nights against Washington and Nebraska. On the year, Wagler has been averaging 18.1 points while slashing .479/.438/.816, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.2 assists a night. The freshman's stock has been on the ascent as the year has gone on, and he could find himself right within Bulls' drafting range."
The Chicago Bulls sit at 24-26 and face the real possibility of falling out of the play-in race as the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets close the gap. The upcoming trade deadline will shape whether the team pursues immediate upgrades or leans into the 2026 NBA Draft. Chicago could own two first-round picks if Portland secures a playoff spot, with the Trail Blazers currently 23-27 and holding the No. 10 seed. Center Jayden Quaintance is dealing with swelling in a surgically repaired knee and has been shut down since Jan. 7. Illinois freshman Keaton Wagler has risen into draft range, averaging 18.1 points with strong shooting splits and contributing rebounds and assists.
Read at Bleacher Nation
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