The Chicago Bulls' rebuild is officially underway, with two top-15 picks serving as the launching pad.
Bryson Graham was hired as the Bulls' executive vice president of basketball operations last Monday. Just six days later, Graham's arsenal of rebuilding tools received a significant boost.
The Bulls entered Sunday's NBA Draft Lottery with the ninth-best odds, but left with the No. 4 overall pick. Chicago had a 4.5% chance at the top selection and a 20.3% chance of jumping into the top four. In addition to No. 4, the Bulls also have the No. 15 overall pick because of a prior trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Graham was sitting in the audience during the lottery announcement and learned of the Bulls' climb at the same time as the media, fans and everyone in attendance at Navy Pier. He was visibly elated when reporters caught up with him, shortly after the drawing.
"Oh man, I almost fainted," Graham said. "I was like, 'This is crazy,' because it's such a great draft. There's a ton of talent. It's deep. Obviously, there are some names at the top of the draft that you do get excited about, and you just want to have a chance. I'm in the thought of it doesn't matter where we pick, we're going to get the best player. But the odds working in your favor today, it does help."
Graham has been a part of front offices that have experienced lottery luck before. He was in New Orleans when the then-Hornets jumped from the fourth-best odds to draft Anthony Davis at No. 1 overall in 2012, then was the assistant general manager when the Pelicans climbed from the seventh-best odds to pick Zion Williamson first overall in 2019.
Now, Graham has the opportunity to get a similar talent as Davis and Williamson with the Bulls. Four players are widely viewed as a class of their own: BYU forward AJ Dybantsa, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson.
The Washington Wizards, Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies will presumably take three of them off the board, meaning Graham and the Bulls will likely draft whichever player is left over. Chicago could look to package No. 4 and No. 15 to move into the top three, but considering the Bulls' lack of young talent, Graham must be cautious about trading two potential starters for one.
Should the Bulls decide to pass on the remainder of Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer and Wilson, Chicago's other options include Houston guard Kingston Flemings, Illinois guard Keaton Wagler and Arkansas guard Darius Acuff Jr.