Bulls 2026 Offseason Thread

[Outshined_One]

Bulls have #4, 15, and 37, a new GM, and...a chance to escape mediocrity?

If the White Sox can somehow be watchable and entertaining, I guess there is hope for the Bulls.

[bukie]

Quietly hoping Cam Boozer falls to them at 4, which would be a slam dunk for the franchise.

With how strong this draft is, if they can also somehow trade themselves into another top 8 pick, getting one of the 4 tier 2 guards (Wagler, Acuff, Flemings, Burries) AND Boozer would really set up the franchise for a fun youth movement right away.

[Tryptamine]

Just about every mock I see has Dybansta at 1, Peterson 2 and Boozer 3. Caleb Wilson seems a nice compliment to Buzelis and I think I prefer him over Boozer anyway even if he carries more risk.

[bukie]

I disagree, I see Wilson as another Buzelis, and basically the only thing he has over Boozer is athleticism, plus Wilson is coming off a season ending injury.

Boozer was basically the college Nikola Jokic last season, and was far and away the best and most efficient player in the college game.

However, I am quietly hoping the Grizzlies get wooed by the athleticism so they can get their version of Patrick Williams.

Basically, this is the player I want at 4 in order: 1. Cam Boozer, 2. AJ Dybantsa, 3. Caleb Wilson, 4. Darryn Peterson

If they can get Boozer and a PG to pair with Buzelis going forward, they'll suddenly be a fun young team to watch instead of a perennial also-ran that plays outdated basketball.

[NorthsideAvenger]

1 hour ago, bukie said:

I disagree, I see Wilson as another Buzelis, and basically the only thing he has over Boozer is athleticism, plus Wilson is coming off a season ending injury.

Boozer was basically the college Nikola Jokic last season, and was far and away the best and most efficient player in the college game.

However, I am quietly hoping the Grizzlies get wooed by the athleticism so they can get their version of Patrick Williams.

Basically, this is the player I want at 4 in order: 1. Cam Boozer, 2. AJ Dybantsa, 3. Caleb Wilson, 4. Darryn Peterson

If they can get Boozer and a PG to pair with Buzelis going forward, they'll suddenly be a fun young team to watch instead of a perennial also-ran that plays outdated basketball.

I've seen comps to Jermaine O'Neal for Wilson.

Wilson is the pick for me at 4. But I would be just as happy with Boozer.

[MidoreX]

I'm good with either Wilson or Boozer... Put Essengue on the bench and see if he can add enough weight to play at the 5 over time, hopefully he's not a completely wasted pick (apparently he had a growth spurt and is a legit 7 foot now)

[Tryptamine]

I'm trying to decide if I feel like they should trade back up into the 5-8 range using pick #15 or  if they should just wait it out. What would have to go with #15 to move up to #5 for Wagler? I wouldn't mind Mara at all if he's there at #15.

[17 Seconds]

probably a long shot, but how would everyone feel if Peterson fell to 4?

[bukie]

38 minutes ago, 17 Seconds said:

probably a long shot, but how would everyone feel if Peterson fell to 4?

Mildly disappointed, but I'd be more disappointed if the FO tried to smart brain it and reach for someone else. The top 4 are still a tier above everyone else.

[gflore34]

2 hours ago, MidoreX said:

I'm good with either Wilson or Boozer... Put Essengue on the bench and see if he can add enough weight to play at the 5 over time, hopefully he's not a completely wasted pick (apparently he had a growth spurt and is a legit 7 foot now)

I don't know, he's probably a bust, after all, he was chosen by AK that alone should raise some serious doubts.

[The_Achiever]

IIRC Essengue was a 6'7 or 6'8 SF last year so that would indeed be a crazy growth spurt.  I'm not sure what his ceiling is but it's certainly higher at 7'0 (har har).  

With the way this draft is shaking out I could see the Bulls bringing back either Coby or Ayo.  Giddey is only kind of a guard and then you have Tre Jones and Rob Dilly.  I think there's definitely a need for another guard, and I want no part of the guys they brought in last year (Sexton, Simons, Ivey, etc.)  

Still so psyched they moved up to 4.  This draft has a clear top-4 but everyone will have a different order.  Plus the 15 pick in this draft is awesome too.  

[mul21]

1 hour ago, 17 Seconds said:

probably a long shot, but how would everyone feel if Peterson fell to 4?

I would hate it.  As much as we joke about Hawk and his TWTW, I think there is a facet of a player's makeup you really do have to look at.  A good friend of mine is a basketball junky and a Kansas fan and Peterson absolutely drove him crazy with the I'm playing today/no I'm not stuff.  I want no part of that dude and while he's probably not as talented and I'm biased as an Illini fan, I'd take Wagler 10 times out of 10 over Peterson based on the information we have on both of them right now.

[jb10194]

1 hour ago, mul21 said:

I would hate it.  As much as we joke about Hawk and his TWTW, I think there is a facet of a player's makeup you really do have to look at.  A good friend of mine is a basketball junky and a Kansas fan and Peterson absolutely drove him crazy with the I'm playing today/no I'm not stuff.  I want no part of that dude and while he's probably not as talented and I'm biased as an Illini fan, I'd take Wagler 10 times out of 10 over Peterson based on the information we have on both of them right now.

It’s understandable feeling that way as a Kansas fan since they kept it pretty quiet, but I think my perspective on Peterson’s season has changed after hearing about what he was dealing with through the year. I think that would have messed a lot of kids up. 
 

If anything, it’s a sign he cares too much if he was pumping his body with too much creatine. 

Edited 7 hours ago by jb10194

[UMFan83]

4 hours ago, 17 Seconds said:

probably a long shot, but how would everyone feel if Peterson fell to 4?

Seems like my opinion is different than others but I'd be over the top happy.  There are definitely questions but you are getting a 1.01 talent at 4th overall.  I can understand the red flags, but I also know this is a guy who was aiming for the NBA as soon as he stepped foot on campus.  You hope that whatever coach you hire can get him to buy in and watch his talent take the franchise places it hasnt been in well over a decade

[SpongeWorthy]

boozer just kind of screams michael beasley to me. now maybe michael beasley with a better head would’ve been an all star but i just feel like he’s a tweener forward who isn’t explosive enough to be a number one option on offense in the nba

i think caleb’s floor is basically horace grant

Edited 6 hours ago by SpongeWorthy

[SpongeWorthy]

1 hour ago, jb10194 said:

It’s understandable feeling that way as a Kansas fan since they kept it pretty quiet, but I think my perspective on Peterson’s season has changed after hearing about what he was dealing with through the year. I think that would have messed a lot of kids up. 
 

If anything, it’s a sign he cares too much if he was pumping his body with too much creatine. 

wasn’t Petersons makeup/competitive drive supposed to be off the charts coming into college?

[Irrelevant Dude]

6 hours ago, Tryptamine said:

What would have to go with #15 to move up to #5 for Wagler?

#15 plus next year's first? 

Too much?  Not enough? 

I would do it.

[NorthsideAvenger]

4 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

#15 plus next year's first? 

Too much?  Not enough? 

I would do it.

If the Clippers would do 15 and next year's FRP, I would do that without hesitation. 

Edited 1 hour ago by NorthsideAvenger

[Tryptamine]

9 minutes ago, NorthsideAvenger said:

If the Clippers would do 15 and next year's FRP, I would do that without hesitation. 

Same. Wagler, Wilson, Buzelis and Giddey would be pretty damn exciting and the hype would be crazy.