Bryson Graham S.L.A.P Era Begins With Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain

The Bryson Graham era officially began on draft night, and it’s clear the Chicago Bulls have a vision for the future. With their first two selections in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Bulls selected North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 overall pick and Texas guard Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 pick. More importantly, both players perfectly fit the S.L.A.P philosophy that Graham has emphasized since arriving in Chicago: Size, Length, Athleticism, and Physicality.

Wilson checks every box. The 6-foot-10 forward with a 7-foot wingspan averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game while shooting 58% from the field during his lone season at North Carolina. He is widely viewed as one of the best athletes in the draft and arguably one of the prospects with the highest upside in the entire class.

Wilson has received praise from several current and former NBA players throughout the draft process. One of the most notable endorsements came from Draymond Green, who said Wilson has the potential to become the best player in this draft class. That's the type of praise that gets fans excited about what he can become.

The selection also places Wilson in elite company. He becomes just the third Bulls player drafted in the top 10 out of North Carolina, joining Coby White, who was selected seventh in 2019, and Michael Jordan, who was selected third overall in 1984.

The Bulls continued their S.L.A.P-focused draft strategy by selecting Swain at No. 15.

The 6-foot-7 guard/wing possesses a 6-foot-10 wingspan and is known for his ability to attack downhill, finish through contact and impact the game defensively. What stood out to me while watching film was his ball-handling ability. For a player his size, Swain has a surprisingly tight handle and can get low and create separation like a much smaller guard.

Swain stuffed the stat sheet at Texas, leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists. He averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.6 steals per game while competing in the SEC, one of the toughest conferences in college basketball.

The biggest area for improvement is his jump shot, but I actually came away encouraged after hearing him discuss that weakness following the draft. Swain openly acknowledged that improving his jumper, both off the catch and off the dribble, will be a priority moving forward. That's exactly what you want to hear from a young player entering the league.

With Wilson and Swain now in the fold, Graham's vision is beginning to take shape. The Bulls finally appear to have a clear direction and identity. They're prioritizing size, length, athleticism, and physicality, and these two selections are the first major steps toward building that foundation. It may take time, but for the first time in a while, it feels like Chicago has a plan.