A four-game win streak, followed by a three-game losing streak, the Chicago Bulls really can work wonders. It wasn’t that long ago that the Chicago front office announced they wanted to be buyers at the trade deadline in hopes of a “playoff push.” And here they are again, sitting comfortably as one of the teams projected for the lottery in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Luckily for me, I’ve always preferred when the Bulls take big strides down rather than small, meaningless strides up. I’ve been loving what the 2026 NBA Draft class has to offer, and being a team that actively avoids taking part in it just feels wrong. So I’ll do the Bulls a favor and help them out, here are three players they should keep an eye on this week, and all the way through the 2026 NBA Draft.
Best Case Scenario: Keaton Wagler – Illinois Fighting Illini
Look back in the archives — I’ve been advocating for Keaton Wagler to the Chicago Bulls long before he put on a masterclass at Purdue. The 6’6” guard out of Illinois has been taking a breakout leap right in front of our eyes, and he may end up slipping right under the Bulls’ nose. With every 20-point performance Wagler drops in a win, he climbs higher up the draft board — and drifts further away from Chicago.
Maybe Wagler doesn’t play a position of immense need for the Bulls. But when a talent like this presents itself, they can’t afford to just pass. On top of that, Fighting Illini products are instant fan favorites — something Chicago would absolutely welcome, considering how much convincing it’s taken to sell fans on nearly every recent draft pick they’ve made.
Wagler is currently averaging 18 points per game, five rebounds, four assists, and a steal per night. His efficiency numbers are eye-catching, and they’re a big reason why this team continues to win consistently. A lot of Bulls fans are already sold on the idea of adding Wagler, especially with player comps to Austin Reaves — just a much younger version. The problem? As things stand right now, he may come off the board earlier than where Chicago is likely to pick, which is exactly why I view him as a “best-case scenario.”
Keaton W46lerAfter his historic performance against No. 4 Purdue, Keaton tallied 8 national accolades. pic.twitter.com/lkGlfFHdfb
— Illinois Men's Basketball (@IlliniMBB) January 28, 2026This week, he plays:
Illinois Fighting Illini (18-3) vs Nebraska Cornhuskers (20-1)Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NEDate: February 2, 2026Tip-off: 2 PM CTWhere to watch: Big Ten Network
Illinois Fighting Illini (18-3) vs Northwestern Wildcats (10-11)State Farm Center, Champaign, ILDate: February 4, 2026Tip-off: 7 PM CTWhere to watch: Big Ten Network
© Eakin Howard-Imagn ImagesWorst Case Scenario: Patrick Ngongba II – Duke Blue Devils
The 2026 NBA Draft is thin in the true big man category. There are some solid power forwards who project as undersized centers at the next level, but legitimate bigs are few and far between. That dynamic opens the door for certain players to be drafted higher than their spot on most big boards, purely out of necessity. I could see Patrick Ngongba II being that guy for Chicago.
Ngongba plays for Duke, and as a sophomore is averaging 11 points, six rebounds, and two stocks (steals plus blocks) per game. He’s a very old-school–esque big man, ranking top 20 in the ACC in total rebounds and offensive rebounds, while also posting an impressive plus-minus. He’s top ten in blocks as well, and his high true shooting percentage only reinforces those old-school big man vibes.
Chicago needs a real interior presence, and Ngongba could offer that at this spot. With the right development, he has a path that looks similar to a Nic Claxton–type progression, a role player early who grows into something much more valuable over time.
Highlights from Patrick Ngongba’s dominant performance vs Louisville! pic.twitter.com/zWlAJwdApH
— Draftday.HQ (@Draftdayhq) January 27, 2026You can watch the big-man play this week:
Duke Blue Devils (19-1) vs Virginia Tech Hokies (16-6)Cassell Coliseum – Blacksburg, VADate: January 31, 2026Tip-off: 11 AM CTWhere to watch: ACC Network
Duke Blue Devils (19-1) vs Boston College Eagles (9-11)Cameron Indoor Stadium – Durham, NCDate: February 3, 2026Tip-off: 6 PM CTWhere to watch: ACC Network
© Aryanna Frank-Imagn ImagesMost Realistic: Koa Peat – Arizona Wildcats
Thinking of Koa Peat as a realistic pick for the Bulls in the 2026 NBA Draft would’ve felt like a stretch not too long ago. But with players like Wagler continuing to rise up mock drafts, Peat might just fall into the outstretched arms of Chicago.
Koa is the best player on the best team in the nation, winning DNA already baked in. The 19-year-old fits the exact timeline you’d hope Chicago commits to. At 6’8”, he creates a really intriguing forward pairing for the Bulls that could last for years. I don’t have a perfect like-for-like player comp, but a Carlos Boozer–esque comparison definitely fits the build.
I honestly even believe that slotting Peat in at power forward would push Matas to small forward, which is where we’ve always known he should be.
KOA PEAT IS A GROWN MAN ?24 PTS | 10 REB | 9-15 FG pic.twitter.com/HvCNEvUFgw
— B/R Hoops (@brhoops) January 15, 2026Koa Peat was also be rocking the courts this week at:
Arizona Wildcats (21-0) vs Arizona State Sun Devils (11-10)Desert Financial Arena – Tempe, AZDate: January 31, 2026Tip-off: 1 PM CTWhere to watch: ESPN
Arizona Wildcats (21-0) vs Oklahoma State Cowboys (14-6)McKale Memorial Center – Tucson, AZDate: February 7, 2026Tip-off: 3 PM CTWhere to watch: ESPN
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