The Chicago Bulls are set up about as nice as you can be for a rebuilding team with a new front office. Executive VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham has the 4th, 15th, 38th and 56th overall picks in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The relative haul of picks the Bulls have give them the 2nd rank in Tankathon's draft power rankings.

The (safe) assumption at this point is that the Bulls will draft do-it-all big Cam Boozer out of Duke, or physical, slashing forward North Carolina Caleb Wilson with the 4th overall pick in the draft. After that, there are almost an infinite number of scenarios that could play out between four and the Bulls next pick at 15th overall.  

Throughout the draft season, it is clear that everyone has a personal favorite among a stacked guard class that will define this draft in terms of overall depth. 

Despite having Josh Giddey, Tre Jones and Rob Dillingham all signed through next season, the Bulls would be thrilled to land any of the elite guard prospects available. Most of the elite freshman prospects will likely be off the board by the 15th pick, players like Darius Acuff, Brayden Burries and Kingston Flemings. 

But a name I think isn't getting enough praise, and may be available for Chicago at 15 is Alabama sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr.

The number one reason I trust Philon as a prospect, and have him at No. 9 overall on my personal Big Board, is that he has shown year over year development as a player.

As a freshman, Philon was an intriguing, defensive-minded guard, who played a big role on a great Crimson Tide squad. His sophomore year, Philon turned into the engine of the team, taking a major step back as a defender as he took on a massive 30% usage rate, and generated 6.0 free throw attempts per game. 

Philon is just under 6-foot-3 barefoot, with a 6-foot-6 wingspan and an 8-foot-3  standing reach. He has a slender frame at 176 lbs., but the weight figure is quite a bit shocking when you watch his film, which is a positive.  

Despite being 176 lbs., Philon isn't scared to mix it up in the paint. He shot 57% on 2-pt FGs this season--is from 54% last year--and was one of the more impressive drive-and-kick guards in the nation, finishing with 22 PPG and 5 APG. 

Philon is extremely shifty and tough to contain off the dribble. He can beat most guards to get into the paint, if he gets a center or general mismatch on him, it will be less than three seconds before he darts into the paint or hoists up a shot.

His rapidly improving 3-point shot (39.9% from 3-pt range on 6.2 attempts per game) and decision-making make it tough to stop him when he makes up his mind quickly. 

Philon's handle package is impressive. An array of crossovers, half-spins (Smitty!) and step backs free up Philon for midrange jumpers, floaters off the glass and 3-pointers where he manages to set his feet despite moving in such an explosive manner. 

In terms of his fit in Chicago, I love it because Philon is essentially everything Josh Giddey isn't. A shifty, on-ball creator, who can really be depended on to put the ball in the basket.

Playing them together seems like more of an issue on defense than it would on offense where theoretically, Giddey and Philon would give you a lot of playmaking and ability to play up-tempo baskteball, getting out in transition early and often. 

The fact that Giddey has shown proficiency as an off-ball 3-point shooter would help if the Bulls next head coach wanted to give Philon ample on-ball reps from the start. 

One of the few downsides to Philon's game is he has shown recklessness with his passes at times. He had a 12.7% turnover rate this past season, and even in some of his best games like the 29-point explosion against Gonzaga, Philon racked up the turnovers (6). 

There is a fear that Philon could have too many games where he disappears on offense at the NBA level, on nights where the shot isn't going in and the physicality and size is too much for him. But I believe there is enough to Philon's game as a passer and defender to give him all-around value.

This is where things get extremely interesting with Philon. His freshman year, he posted a 4.1 Defensive Box Plus/Minus, which dropped to 2.1 his sophomore season.

It is fair to assume taking on a larger offensive responsibility means your defensive effort will fall off a bit, but it is still quite concerning to see such a sharp drop. He finished with less blocks and steals this season, but the more concerning thing was the way Philon had less moments where he truly looked like a lockdown defender on film. 

Like many young guard prospects, Philon shows a lack of awareness at times on off-ball defense, yet looks feisty and locked in when attacked in on-ball situations. 

Philon's physicality translated to defensive rebounding, where he posted a 9.3% Defensive Rebound Rate over two years at Alabama. 

Games like his 24-point, 10-rebound (all defensive) double-double in a December loss to Arizona, showcase how Philon's aggressiveness on the glass could help spark the transition attack for his NBA team. 

The ability to defend small, shifty guards on-ball and crash the glass at 6-foot-4 (in shoes) will provide Philon with just enough versatility to stay on the floor on nights where the shot simply isn't falling.