This is my favorite article to write every week, mostly because it’s how I cope with Chicago’s mediocrity. Last night, the Bulls beat the Utah Jazz in the clutch. It was a great game, but watching Utah’s young core outplay what the Bulls put on the floor left me jealous. I want my team to have something that feels like a real future, too.
With the NBA trade deadline approaching fast, the Bulls have a chance to trade for that kind of young core. Personally, though, I’d rather they get it right through the draft.
The Chicago Bulls Draft Board
© Eakin Howard-Imagn ImagesBest Case Scenario: Caleb Wilson — North Carolina Tar Heels
Now let me preface this by saying this only happens if—and only if—the Bulls jump into the top four. Because there is no world where Caleb Wilson falls outside of it.
Wilson is a 19-year-old freshman averaging 20 points, 10 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game in the ACC. He leads the league in rebounding, is second in free-throw attempts, and ranks in the top 10 or 15 in nearly every statistical category you’d care about.
The 6’10” Tar Heel may not be the stretch big the modern NBA usually craves, but his presence in the paint more than makes up for it. Wilson is widely viewed as the best player outside the consensus “big three,” so for the Bulls to land him, they’d have to be bad, lucky, or both.
12th 20-point game of the year for Caleb ?He now has the 2nd-most 20-point games by a UNC freshman, behind Tyler Hansbrough. pic.twitter.com/BRcWWPYGli
— Carolina Basketball (@UNC_Basketball) January 15, 2026You can actually watch Caleb Wilson play this week:
North Carolina Tar Heels (14-3) vs. California Golden Bears (13-5)Haas Pavilion — Berkeley, CADate: January 17, 2026Tip-off: 3:00 PM CTWhere to watch: ACC Network
North Carolina Tar Heels (14-3) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-7)Dean E. Smith Center — Chapel Hill, North CarolinaDate: January 21, 2025Tip-off: 6:00 PM CTWhere to watch: ESPN2
© Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesWorst Case Scenario: Thomas Haugh — Florida Gators
Last year, I was at the Final Four in San Antonio, covering the tournament from Florida’s point of view. That’s where I was introduced to Thomas Haugh. He was a genuinely happy-go-lucky guy, coming off the bench for the national champions. He was huge in those games, and the whole country took notice.
This year, with the reins of the team in his hands, he’s averaging 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block per game. He’s top ten in the SEC in points per game and field goals made, and first in minutes and games played.
Haugh is clearly one of the most polished prospects in the upcoming draft, but he’s already 22 and will turn 23 before he plays his first NBA season—words scouts hate to hear. That’s why his draft stock keeps fluctuating. His production screams top-ten pick, but his age could push him toward the back of the first round.
If the Chicago Bulls do climb the standings and end up picking later, Haugh would be a genuinely good fit. His ceiling might not be as high as some of the younger prospects, but his floor feels almost guaranteed. And you never know, some players bloom late. He might be worth the risk.
Tommy's 7th time this season with a 20pt game? pic.twitter.com/pxq82VAbga
— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) January 14, 2026You can watch Thomas Haugh play this week:
Florida Gators (12-5) vs Vanderbilt Commodores (16-1)Memorial Gymnasium – Nashville, TNDate: January 17, 2026Tip-off: 1:00 PM CTWhere to watch: ESPN
Florida Gators (12-5) vs LSU Tigers (12-5)Stephen C. O’Connell Center – Gainesville, FLDate: January 20, 2026Tip-off: 6:00 PM CTWhere to watch: ESPN2
Most Realistic: Karim Lopez — New Zealand Breakers
Karim Lopez ? Illawarra Hawks in 31 MINS:16 PTS6 AST5 STL 4 REB@NZBreakers pic.twitter.com/FV2EymQ1Ln
— NBL Next Stars (@NBLNextStars) January 11, 2026For this one, we had to broaden our horizons and look beyond the U.S. college landscape. The Chicago Bulls have reportedly centered their long-term plans around Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Noa Essengue. Not one of them played college basketball, so why would we assume their next target has to?
The Bulls are 11-19 over their past 30 games after a 6-1 start, which has many teams expecting them to become sellers.Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, along with recent lottery pick Noa Essengue, appear to be the only players not available in negotiations during trade season. pic.twitter.com/rAmXKGa4hf
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 8, 2026Karim López, who plays in the same league Giddey did before being drafted, is currently averaging 11 points, six rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block per game. He isn’t even 19 yet, but already has three years of professional basketball experience under his belt. López is a 6’5” forward with some lingering concerns about his defense, athleticism, and average shooting, which could push him into the late-lottery range. That makes him a realistic option for the Bulls if they want to keep leaning into their recent trend of international prospects who’ve already been tested in pro environments.
You can watch him play this week:
New Zealand Breakers (9-15) vs Cairns Taipans (7-17)RAC Arena – Perth, AUDate: January 17, 2026Tip-off: 2:00 AM CTWhere to watch: NBA App
New Zealand Breakers (9-15) vs South East Melbourne Phoenix (16-8)John Cain Arena – Melbourne, AUDate: January 21, 2026Tip-off: 2:30 AM CTWhere to watch: NBA App
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