The Chicago Bulls project to have a lottery pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, with a solid chance--20.3% at the time of this writing--at a top-four pick in what is said to be a loaded draft class. Outside of their own first round pick, the Bulls have a lottery-protected first round pick fromt he Portland Trail Blazers, and two second round picks through complex conditions that were originally tied to the New Orleans Pelicans and Denver Nuggets. Using one of those others picks--and not their own first rounder--would be the smart way for the Bulls to have their cake and eat it too, grabbing a big need by snagging a big man, while still going best player available with their most valuable pick. 

This article will be looking at big man prospects Chicago should be doing a ton of research on, as maneuvering to grab any of these bigs would greatly enhance the value of Chicago's hypothetical draft day haul.

If the Bulls were to end up with Flory Bidunga, they either snagged an extra first round pick from a contending team via trade, or they used one of their second round picks to add Bidunga's useful skill set to the squad. I say this because even with the limitations to his game, it is tough to imagine Bidunga going undrafted. 

The 6-foot-10 Bidunga is a sophomore center for the Kansas Jayhawks, who started playing basketball in 2019 (as a 14-year old). For a player still learning the game, Bidunga already possesses a strong skillset.

While Bidunga's teammate Darryn Peterson has--rightfully so--been grabbing all the national headlines with his high-level play and ever-changing injury status, Bidunga has been a steady force for the Jayhawks all season. At the time of this writing, he is averaging just under 14 points per game, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks per game. That last figure is, of course, the one that would be of the utmost importance to the Bulls front office. 

Bidunga is one of the better shot blockers in the class, combining his quick leaping with great timing and instincts.

Bidunga and Matas Buzelis would form an extremely athletic, mobile, and imposing duo in the paint. They aren't burly players that would wear down opponents, but rather quick, lanky ones who would make opponents look over their should on every drive with them on the floor. 

We've talked about Quaintance in this space before, and for good reason: Jayden Quaintance was unquestionably the top center prospect in this class--and to be honest still is, just less comfortably so--and the most dominant defensive prospect slated to be available in the 2026 NBA Draft. 

Maybe it says more about a relatively weak center class, or maybe it says more about Quaintance's perseverance and tantalizing skill set that he still is positioned as the top center in this class depending on what you categorize Duke's Cam Boozer as. Quaintance, of course, has not looked impressive in amid his brief returns to the Kentucky Wildcats lineup this season as he recovers from a torn ACL. 

The best game Quaintance has had during his brief playing time this season was 10 points (on 71% shooting), 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks against St. John's (NY) in 17 minutes of playing time.

The fact that he was able to make such a big impact in less than 20 minutes in a win shows precisely why NBA teams are still in on Quaintance, especially if you have a massive hole at center as the Bulls do. And if you're a team that has lacked a shot blocker at the five for several straight years--as Chicago has--it shouldn't take long to understand why Quaintance's combination of shot-blocking and (hopefully) agility makes him worth the risk.

If you've picked up the central theme of this article by now, the presence of Aday Mara shouldn't shock you regardless of how big (no pun intended) you think his NBA role will be. The massive, 7-foot-3 Mara is a defensive monster according the advanced stats and the good 'ol fashioned eye test. 

At the time of this writing, Mara is posting an impressive 8.6 Defensive Box Plus Minus, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. His most recent game was a smooth 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks over 22 minutes in a 14-point win at Illinois. 

Mara will, as most 7-foot-3 players do, struggle to contain on the perimeter, but your team should limit him being in that position in the first place. Mara is excellent at what he can do, and that is protect the paint. Mara uses his imposing frame to disrupt passing lanes and contests any shot near the rim. He is generally tough to get around in pick-and-roll defense, again, something that can be attributed to his large frame. 

What would make the 7-foot-3 Spanish big man a hit with head coach Billy Donovan is his unselfishness and supreme passing ability for a prospect of that size. Mara averages 2.4 assists per game vs. 1.9 turnovers per game for the Michigan Wolverines this season. That great 18.5 assist rate (per Basketball-Reference) is a big reason the Wolverines are 17-1.