The Chicago Bulls' immediate future hinges on their ability to stockpile 2027 NBA Draft picks. Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham faces a critical task: leveraging veteran assets to collect more first-round selections and accelerate the rebuild around a promising young core.
This inconsistency is expected for a team led by players under 25, making draft capital essential for long-term growth. The Bulls have rarely held multiple first-round picks, and changing that pattern is a top priority for Graham's new regime.
Securing more lottery tickets increases the odds of finding another foundational piece. The team's 2026 draft was a start, using their own fourth overall pick on Caleb Wilson and a traded 15th pick on Dylan Swain. But one successful draft isn't enough. In a deeper Eastern Conference, the Bulls risk falling into the league's bottom three, which actually reduces their odds for the top pick to just 5.4%. Finishing with the fourth-to-tenth worst records offers a better 8.1% chance, a spot Chicago knows well from its recent play-in history.
Graham's foundation is built on four key players. Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis join 2026 draftees Caleb Wilson and Dylan Swain as the central young group. Others like Leonard Miller and 2025 first-rounder Noa Essengue provide additional depth. This core needs time and the right supporting pieces to develop, which is where veteran signings come in.
Graham made savvy moves this offseason, signing All-Star Norman Powell to a team-friendly deal and trading for Nic Claxton and Buddy Hield. These veterans have specific skills that complement the young players. Claxton gets a fresh start with a playmaker like Giddey. Hield and Powell provide essential perimeter shooting to create space for the team's drive-first athletes.
The most direct path is trading veteran players for future assets. Powell, Claxton, and Hield all have value to contending teams. If the Bulls struggle as projected, these players could become attractive trade chips before the deadline. Graham needs to craft a deal similar to the 2021 transaction that netted the Portland pick used on Swain. That move, involving Lauri Markkanen, was one of the few clear wins from the previous front office.
Internal development of the young core is the other major goal this season. But collecting draft capital is arguably just as important for sustainable success. The opportunity should present itself as the season progresses and the standings clarify. Fans can track the team's progress and upcoming schedule on our schedule page. Every game is an evaluation for both the players on the court and the executives looking to make the next key trade.
