The Chicago Bulls made Caleb Wilson their first-round pick in the 2026 NBA Draft - and early grades suggest they nailed the selection. The 6'10" forward from UCLA gives Chicago another long, skilled big to pair with DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević up front.
What happened in the draft room?
Chicago used the 26th overall pick on Caleb Wilson, a stretch-four with a 7'0" wingspan and a 7'6" standing reach. Scouts pegged him as a high-upside project with a 38% three-point stroke in college. The Bulls needed shooting and depth behind Vučević, and Wilson checks both boxes. General manager Marc Eversley called him “a player who can grow with our core.” The Bulls’ last game before the draft was a 149-128 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on April 13, 2026, leaving them on a four-game slide.
Why this pick matters for the Bulls
Chicago’s frontcourt rotation now includes three bigs who can space the floor. Vučević still anchors the paint, DeRozan attacks from the mid-range, and Wilson stretches defenses with his shooting. That trio gives coach Billy Donovan more lineup flexibility in small-ball lineups. The Bulls’ recent form sits at 1-4 in their last five games, with losses by double digits each time. Adding a player who can switch 1-5 and knock down threes addresses two of their biggest weaknesses. Scouts also note Wilson’s motor and IQ - traits Donovan values highly.
How analysts graded the pick
Early draft grades from NBA.com and The Athletic gave Chicago a B+ for the Wilson selection. They praised his shooting upside and defensive potential but flagged his skinny frame as a concern. ESPN’s draft guru ranked the move 22nd overall among all 2026 picks, citing “high risk, high reward.” The Bulls’ analytics team projected Wilson as a plus-3.2 on offense and minus-0.8 defensively as a rookie. Those numbers assume he lands spot minutes behind Vučević and DeMarre Carroll.
What comes next for Wilson and the Bulls
Wilson will join summer league in Las Vegas before reporting to training camp in September. Donovan plans to ease him in, using him as a floor-spacer first, rim-runner second. The Bulls’ roster still needs guard play and rim protection, so Wilson may not crack the rotation right away. His three-year deal is fully non-guaranteed, giving Chicago an out if he struggles. For now, the Bulls hope he’s the missing piece to push them back into playoff contention after a disappointing finish last season.
