The Chicago Bulls doubled down on defense and athleticism in the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night, calling to mind their approach during the magical 1990s decade.

Chicago head coach Tiago Splitter and the team's front office opted for North Carolina power forward Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 overall pick and Texas small forward Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 overall pick, adding much-needed size and depth. 

Wilson played one season with the Tar Heels before leaping to the NBA, while Swain spent two years with the Xavier Musketeers before moving to Texas last season.

The Bulls' selections were praised for their upside potential, including on the defensive side of the ball, where Wilson was called a potential All-Defense candidate in the NBA by USA Today. 

Swain brings a similar focus, which could help take the Bulls' defense from 22nd to a far better ranking in the coming years. 

On the defensive side of the ball, both Wilson and Swain led the pack last season in a key stat that will conjure up images of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen roaming the perimeter for the Bulls' 1990s defenses.

Wilson accomplished plenty in his lone season in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, finishing third behind Cameron Boozer and Ebuka Okorie for ACC Freshman of the Year honors. He also made the All-ACC First Team, finishing with 410 votes, 15 behind Boozer for the top spot on the team, and ahead of Okorie. 

His play was steady for a freshman, a strong indicator that he is ready to take things to the next level as an NBA rookie in the Windy City.

Wilson has Michael Jordan-sized expectations among optimistic Bulls fans and observers giving Chicago plenty of hope going forward. 

Wilson and Swain averaged 1.5 and 1.6 steals last season, respectively, putting them in elite company among the top 15 of the NBA Draft. Swain's 1.6 per game steals total is tops among that group of players, while Wilson's 1.5 per game ties him for second place. 

The Bulls are expecting to field a starting lineup with Nic Claxton and Matas Buzelis serving as the team's main rim protectors, with per-game block averages of 1.1 and 1.6, respectively. 

If Wilson and Swain can lock down the perimeter and force hurried drives to the lane, those block numbers both might go up, giving Splitter's Bulls a chance to turn defense into offense in an NBA Central Division jam-packed with athletic, swarming defenses.

Wilson and Swain likely won't be stars in their first season, but their perimeter defense is a sign that Splitter and the Bulls' front office have dusted off the Jordan-Pippen perimeter defense first blueprint. 

With last year's first round draft choice and fellow ball pressure specialist Noa Essengue waiting in the wings for a call-up at some point this coming season, the Bulls have plenty of pieces to build a strong defense. 

A new Bulls roster, and philosophy, reminiscent of its former title teams is taking shape, and it looks like one that should be able to compete at a high level soon in a division stacked with future contenders. 

Bill Simmons called the Bulls the 'Biggest Winner' of 2026's draft, and it's easy to see why, the further you dive into what head of basketball operations Bryson Graham and his staff accomplished.