Could the Los Angeles Clippers make a deal with the Chicago Bulls?
The Los Angeles Clippers have a decision to make with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The consensus is that the draft really starts at number five as AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and Caleb Wilson are expected to go in the top four in some order.
The Clippers were in the Play-In tournament and were one of the hottest teams in the league in the second half of the season, though they completely changed their identity at the trade deadline by trading James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Darius Garland and Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for Bennedict Mathurin and what turned out to be the fifth overall pick.
A Deal With The Chicago Bulls?
Instead of making a selection at number five, there is a world where the Clippers trade the pick for more assets, whether it's more draft capital or a star player who helps them compete this season.
Brett Siegel of Clutch Points linked the Clippers with the Bulls as potential trade partners.
“Rival teams and personnel continue to talk about the Bulls exploring possible avenues to move up from the No. 15 pick, potentially adding another top-10 selection. … If the Bulls were to trade up into the top 10, multiple personnel have stated that they believe such a move would be made for Illinois guard Keaton Wagler. … Trading up to the fifth pick immediately following the No. 4 selection would be a longshot since the Clippers very likely wouldn't have interest in moving down 10 spots unless they were to receive significant assets. While possible, it's unlikely that the Bulls would trade multiple future first-round picks to jump up to No. 5, and the Clippers wouldn't want any of their players under contract.”
The Bulls have the fourth overall and 15th overall pick.
A Worthwhile Deal For Los Angeles?
The Bulls would have to include more than the 15th overall pick. The Bulls have their own first round picks in 2027, 2028, 2029, and 2030.
All four are valuable picks as the Bulls aren't projected to be good for the next couple of years unless they take a big leap with their young talent. The 2027 and 2028 picks would be enticing for the Clippers if they could get both of them in some capacity, though protections might apply.
The Bulls are unlikely to give up Josh Giddey or Matas Buzelis in any deal, and the Clippers probably don't have interest in any other player on the roster.
There just isn't much the Bulls can offer outside of a treasure trove of future first-round picks to really entice the Clippers in any deal.
