Bulls Grab No. 1 Pick Dybantsa in 2026 Lottery

A Tankathon lottery simulator handed a surprise outcome that could change a rebuilding story. The mock places the Chicago Bulls with the No. 1 pick and a potential franchise-altering prospect in Dybantsa, who some execs called an "easy No. 1" and "special." The piece then walks the likely top 20, weighing fits and concerns from Cameron Boozer's polish to Peterson’s availability and the fit questions teams will wrestle with when choosing upside over roster fit. Merlin sees the draft as a crossroads. A single lucky bounce at the lottery can speed a rebuild or leave long sufferers empty handed. Teams will keep chasing ceiling players who can become stars, even when fit feels awkward. Expect trade chatter, medical vetting, and a lot of second-guessing before anyone opens a draft-day scroll.