Why The Bulls Should Trade Up for Michigan Center Aday Mara

The 2026 NBA Draft is a week away, and the Chicago Bulls hold two first-round picks. Chicago will select No. 4 overall and No. 15 overall as it looks to find key pieces for the franchise's future.

One of the Bulls' biggest needs is at center after moving on from Nikola Vucevic last season. Vucevic spent five and a half seasons as Chicago's starting center before being traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick. While Vucevic had several strong moments with the Bulls, he never provided the rim protection and athleticism the team often lacked.

Former Michigan center Aday Mara is a prospect the Bulls should seriously consider trading up for. Mara appeared to be a realistic option at No. 15 following the college basketball season, but his stock has steadily risen in the months leading up to the draft.

At the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, Mara measured 7-foot-3 without shoes and recorded a 9-foot-9 standing reach, the second-longest ever measured at the event. His rare combination of size and length makes him one of the most intriguing big-man prospects in the draft class.

ESPN NBA Draft analyst Jeremy Woo projected Mara to the Golden State Warriors at No. 11 overall in his latest mock draft, released on June 15.

"Mara is expected to be the first center off the board and appears slated for the 8-to-12 range," Woo wrote. "There is strong interest in him, with Atlanta, Dallas, Golden State and Oklahoma City among the teams noted, and he could ultimately be a player teams trade up to acquire". 

After struggling during his first two collegiate seasons at UCLA, Mara broke out at Michigan. He developed into one of the nation's top centers and helped lead the Wolverines to a national championship.

Michigan finished last season with the country's best adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom, and Mara was the anchor of that unit. He led the Big Ten in blocks per game, ranked sixth nationally in block percentage, and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year.

The junior appeared in all 40 games, averaging 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 blocks, and 2.4 assists per game. At 7-foot-3, Mara would give the Bulls a proven defender and rim protector who could anchor their defense for years to come.

Chicago likely won't have the opportunity to select Mara at No. 15, but the front office should strongly consider moving up to acquire the Spanish-born big man. Other center prospects projected around the No. 15 range include Hannes Steinbach and Morez Johnson Jr., but neither is expected to provide the same defensive impact as Mara. Johnson was an excellent defender at Michigan, but he is undersized for the NBA center position.

A realistic trade-up package could include the Bulls' No. 15, No. 38, and No. 56 picks in this year's draft. Teams such as Atlanta, Dallas, or Milwaukee could be potential trade partners if Chicago decides to move up for the Michigan standout.