2026 NBA Draft thread

2weekswithpay · Post #181 » by **2weekswithpay** » Sat Jan 3, 2026 4:43 am

Almost Retired · Post #182 » by **Almost Retired** » Sat Jan 3, 2026 2:39 pm

WesPeace wrote:We will be dreaming about top 4 pick again, but as always will have to settle with pick between 11-14 and I hope Yaxel will be there for us. Yexal to Bulls at #11 or #12 best case scenario I can imagine.

At his age Yaxel would probably have an easier time adapting to the NBA than some 19 year old. He'd play the 4 allowing Buzelis to stay at the 3 where he looks better and creates mismatches. If we don't get Yaxel then I'd like Veersaar as our 5 for the future. Next choice would probably be Steinbach especially for his rebounding or Cenac. But we need to draft a legit 4 or a 5. No more skinny tweeners.

wolffy · Post #183 » by **wolffy** » Sat Jan 3, 2026 4:03 pm

2weekswithpay wrote:Flemings has likely played himself out of our draft range unless we get lucky and move up.

It's shaping up to be a good draft for guards though. Flemings, Philon, Acuff, Stirtz, Tanner, etc.

Its looking like a deep draft overall

2weekswithpay · Post #184 » by **2weekswithpay** » Sat Jan 3, 2026 7:33 pm

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Almost Retired · Post #189 » by **Almost Retired** » Mon Jan 5, 2026 3:37 pm

Bulls should not even consider for a second drafting a guy under 6' 9" that can legit play PF or Center. Maybe we can live with Smith at the "4", in which case drafting a future Center is paramount. All things considered I still think Veesaar checks a lot of boxes that fit our needs. But If AKME makes the mistake of resigning Vooch then we need to draft Yaxel or Steinbach to play the "4".

Chi town · Post #190 » by **Chi town** » Mon Jan 5, 2026 4:00 pm

Almost Retired wrote:Bulls should not even consider for a second drafting a guy under 6' 9" that can legit play PF or Center. Maybe we can live with Smith at the "4", in which case drafting a future Center is paramount. All things considered I still think Veesaar checks a lot of boxes that fit our needs. But If AKME makes the mistake of resigning Vooch then we need to draft Yaxel or Steinbach to play the "4".

Completely agree about size.

I like Veesar after 20. Think he will be plug and play day one. His 3 ball will really help open up the floor and his rim protection is strong.

Steinbeck is the guy I want to play PF. We need strength and physicality and he has it. Hes a beast on the boards and always plays hard with an edge. He’d look good at PF next to Smith at C. He will play day one as well. I think he will be able to play mins at backup C too. Noa fits well at PF next to him at C. Noa with length and Steinbeck with muscle.

If we trade Coby we need a 1st to draft his replacement or a C so we don’t have to draft one.

I like Mullins a lot. Winning player. More athletic and better shooting Huerter.

I like Carr and Yessafou. Carr can flat out shoot it and he’s a glove on D with his length and athleticism. Yessafou has the body and athleticism to get buckets and make impact right away too.

Wagler. Kid can play. Super high IQ and shooting. Great handle and many maker. Really solid on D. Competes. Always makes the right play.

All those guys would look really good between Giddey and Buz. All can play off ball but also create.

sco · Post #191 » by **sco** » Mon Jan 5, 2026 6:30 pm

Chi town wrote:
Almost Retired wrote:Bulls should not even consider for a second drafting a guy under 6' 9" that can legit play PF or Center. Maybe we can live with Smith at the "4", in which case drafting a future Center is paramount. All things considered I still think Veesaar checks a lot of boxes that fit our needs. But If AKME makes the mistake of resigning Vooch then we need to draft Yaxel or Steinbach to play the "4".

Completely agree about size.

I like Veesar after 20. Think he will be plug and play day one. His 3 ball will really help open up the floor and his rim protection is strong.

Steinbeck is the guy I want to play PF. We need strength and physicality and he has it. Hes a beast on the boards and always plays hard with an edge. He’d look good at PF next to Smith at C. He will play day one as well. I think he will be able to play mins at backup C too. Noa fits well at PF next to him at C. Noa with length and Steinbeck with muscle.

If we trade Coby we need a 1st to draft his replacement or a C so we don’t have to draft one.

I like Mullins a lot. Winning player. More athletic and better shooting Huerter.

I like Carr and Yessafou. Carr can flat out shoot it and he’s a glove on D with his length and athleticism. Yessafou has the body and athleticism to get buckets and make impact right away too.

Wagler. Kid can play. Super high IQ and shooting. Great handle and many maker. Really solid on D. Competes. Always makes the right play.

All those guys would look really good between Giddey and Buz. All can play off ball but also create.

It depends where we're drafting. I still see us as 50/50 in the lotto. If we are in the lotto, I am 100% in the BPA camp vs. drafting a big for need. I think, more than any other position, the average time it takes for a big drafted to become a starting caliber C on a good team is longer (e.g. at least 1 season, often 2) than any other position. After the lottery, you're not drafting anyone who you'd reasonably expect to become a starting caliber player, so it matters less.

Draftwise, I'm still rooting hard for us to draft my boy Yaxel.

The C position will need to be dealt with via FA or trade.

Post #192 » by **DuckIII** » Mon Jan 5, 2026 9:00 pm

Looks like out of the 4/5s most are expected in our range. I guess that’s a silver lining kind of.

The guy from Washington isn’t an interior defender though is he? We can’t mess with that nonsense anymore.

League Circles · Post #193 » by **League Circles** » Mon Jan 5, 2026 9:54 pm

This is the point where we kinda need to draft for need IMO. We either need a center or a Coby/Okoro replacement/ upgrade IMO.

2weekswithpay · Post #194 » by **2weekswithpay** » Mon Jan 5, 2026 10:00 pm

It's only ~150 possessions, but lineups with Steinbach at the 5 haven't been good at protecting the rim. Opponents shoot 67.4% at the rim when he's the 5. Not a lot of possession, so things can change by the end of the season.

Spoiler:

Chi town · Post #195 » by **Chi town** » Tue Jan 6, 2026 12:28 am

DuckIII wrote:Looks like out of the 4/5s most are expected in our range. I guess that’s a silver lining kind of.

The guy from Washington isn’t an interior defender though is he? We can’t mess with that nonsense anymore.

I think he will be average on D. Not a traffic cone like Vuc because he plays much harder, stronger, and better IQ for positioning and rebounding.

I like Noa next to him at PF with his length and rim protection. I’d start him at PF with Smith at the 5. Then have him play backup 5 and feast on small ball lineups. I like Buz and Noa next to him when he’s at the 5.

Chi town · Post #196 » by **Chi town** » Tue Jan 6, 2026 12:31 am

2weekswithpay wrote:It's only ~150 possessions, but lineups with Steinbach at the 5 haven't been good at protecting the rim. Opponents shoot 67.4% at the rim when he's the 5. Not a lot of possession, so things can change by the end of the season.

Spoiler:

I’ve watched about 6-7 games and I haven’t seen him beat off the dribble and he has hedged really well in PNR. They have him playing PF and backup C.

He’s def not an eraser at the rim that forces people to not even attempt a shot. I’ve seen good contests though. I’ve seen his guards get beat a lot and he hustles over and it’s too late.

2weekswithpay · Post #197 » by **2weekswithpay** » Tue Jan 6, 2026 3:37 am

I watched the game against Indiana, and Steinbach's perimeter defense was mostly positive IMO. His perimeter defense and lateral quickness will likely have mixed opinions before the draft.

Spoiler:

Chi town · Post #198 » by **Chi town** » Tue Jan 6, 2026 3:43 am

2weekswithpay wrote:I watched the game against Indiana, and Steinbach's perimeter defense was mostly positive IMO. His perimeter defense and lateral quickness will likely have mixed opinions before the draft.

Spoiler:

I’m a Hoosier alum. Our guards suck but yes his perimeter D is solid.

Chi town · Post #199 » by **Chi town** » Tue Jan 6, 2026 3:45 am

POR has been crazy injured but they are still the 9th seed behind MEM.

I think they get Jrue and Scoot back and they gone on a run. I could see them sneaking in through the play in. Could have Lillard back from the end of season run too.

LateNight · Post #200 » by **LateNight** » Tue Jan 6, 2026 1:11 pm

Almost Retired wrote:Bulls should not even consider for a second drafting a guy under 6' 9" that can legit play PF or Center. Maybe we can live with Smith at the "4", in which case drafting a future Center is paramount. All things considered I still think Veesaar checks a lot of boxes that fit our needs. But If AKME makes the mistake of resigning Vooch then we need to draft Yaxel or Steinbach to play the "4".

Best player available. Drafting for positional need is a bad idea - it only compounds the likelihood that you miss on the draft pick