Every time I sit down to write one of these, it feels like I’m stepping into a completely different universe. In Week 1, the Bulls were spiraling through a losing streak. Last week, they somehow flipped the script and went on a heater. And now, here we are again, with Josh Giddey and Coby White sidelined for a significant stretch. I know we won last night, but I need to see more than one win to convince me.
On paper, that kind of situation screams “freefall in the standings,” but it also quietly whispers something else, rising lottery odds. And you know what that means, more intriguing options opening up on the draft board.
The Chicago Bulls Draft Board
Best Case Scenario – Cameron Boozer – Duke Blue Devils
© Rob Kinnan-Imagn ImagesYes, as of today, this may sound a little far-fetched, but let a man dream. With roughly eight or nine games separating the Bulls from the bottom, a Giddey-less roster could start stacking losses in a hurry. If the Bulls slips to around the sixth-best lottery odds (or better), a top-three pick suddenly becomes very realistic. Of course, all of this is still just projection.
What isn’t theoretical, though, is what the Bulls need. Size and defense have been, and will continue to be, at the very top of that wishlist. And right now, Cameron Boozer checks those boxes better than anyone. He’s averaging an ACC-high 23 points per game while anchoring the conference’s best defensive rating. On top of that, he’s pulling down 10 boards, dishing four assists, and adding 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per night.
The advanced numbers adore him, too: conference highs in PER, offensive win shares, total win shares, win shares per 40, plus both offensive and defensive box plus/minus. Basically, every metric screams “instant impact player.”
Last night, in a win against Georgia Tech, Boozer put up 26 points, 12 rebounds (9 offensive rebounds), two assists, and two steals.
watch Cam COOK pic.twitter.com/1Uk7kZBEmV
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) January 1, 2026Drop him into the Bulls lineup and the effect would be immediate. Boozer would allow Matas Buzelis to slide comfortably to small forward, the spot where he’s looked most natural, while giving the Bulls a legitimately towering lineup. That’s never a bad thing in any era of basketball.
And honestly, wouldn’t it be a bit poetic if the son of a former Chicago Bull ended up wearing a Bulls jersey himself?
Welcome to Chicago Cam Boozer t.co/r160Vj443Y pic.twitter.com/OEGVjkZYH2
— KENNY BEECHAM (@KOT4Q) December 31, 2025You can watch Cameron Boozer this week:
Duke Blue Devils (12-1) vs Florida State Seminoles (7-7)Tucker Center – Tallahassee, FLDate: January 3, 2026Tip-off: 2:45 PM CTWhere to watch: CBS
Duke Blue Devils (12-1) vs Louisville Cardinals (11-2)KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, KYDate: January 6, 2026Tip-off: 6 PM CTWhere to watch: ESPN
Worst Case Scenario: Keaton Wagler – Illinois Fighting Illini
© Joseph Maiorana-Imagn ImagesHere’s a name that has quietly climbed draft boards, almost from right under our noses: Keaton Wagler. Brad Underwood’s newest breakout star is starting to generate legitimate lottery buzz out of Illinois. The jury is still out on what his ultimate ceiling, or floor, looks like in the NBA, but the 19-year-old freshman is doing everything he can to keep the conversation loud with the numbers he’s putting up.
Coby White is increasingly viewed as an asset who may not be in Chicago long-term. If that’s the case, replacing him with a 6’6″ scoring machine shouldn’t shock anyone. Over his last five games, Wagler has averaged 18 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and a steal while shooting 50 percent from the field and from three. During that stretch, he’s also recorded two points-and-assists double-doubles. Pairing that kind of scoring punch and playmaking with Josh Giddey would take a ton of pressure off the Aussie.
And hey, snagging in-state talent has its perks. Wouldn’t it be nice to keep all that relocation money in the bank?
Not afraid of the B1G stage. In his first league game, Keaton drops a career-high 23 points! pic.twitter.com/DARhyBA7YR
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) December 10, 2025This week, he plays:
Illinois Fighting Illini (10-3) vs Penn State Nittany Lions (9-4)Bryce Jordan Center – University Park, PADate: January 3, 2026Tip-off: 6 PM CTWhere to watch: Big Ten Network
Most Realistic: Hannes Steinbach – Washington Huskies
© Steven Bisig-Imagn ImagesSay what you want about this pick, but I saw the vision early. The 6’11” big man was my most realistic scenario last week — and he’s staying there this week. In his lone game since then, he dropped 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, posted two “stocks” (steals + blocks), and went a dominant 6-of-9 inside the arc. Performances like that only keep reinforcing my belief in him.
Other outlets are starting to see it too. A young, reliable big anchoring Chicago’s future frontcourt. The one lingering concern is his lack of three-point shooting heading into 2026, it’s still a question mark. But in a stretch like this, where the Bulls are thin on big-man minutes, the idea of adding Steinbach’s fresh legs should absolutely be bouncing around the war room in the minutes leading up to their pick.
Hannes Steinbach is that dude ?Much deserved @bigten Freshman of the Week honors.#GoHuskies x @UW_MBB pic.twitter.com/E9Rwwt2Bl6
— Washington Athletics (@UWAthletics) December 8, 2025Steinbach will be in action this week:
Washington Huskies (9-4) vs Indiana Hoosiers (10-3)Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall – Bloomington, INDate: January 4, 2026Tip-Off: 7 PM CT Where to watch: Big Ten Network
Washington Huskies (9-4) vs Purdue Boilermakers (12-1)Mackey Arena – West Lafayette, INDate: January 7, 2026Tip-Off: 7:30 PM CT Where to watch: Big Ten Network
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