Now that Bulls have captured second first-round pick what can they do?

It might prove to be the best move of the Arturas Karnisovas Era, and it took 1,691 days to show itself.

Thanks to the Lauri Markkanen three-way trade to Cleveland on Aug. 27, 2021, Karnisovas – the recently fired Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations – acquired a first-round pick from Portland that was protected through 2028, before conveying into a second-round pick.

Thanks to the Trail Blazers winning Tuesday night’s play-in game against the Suns, however, the deal finally paid out, as the Bulls will likely have the No. 15 pick to go along with sitting at No. 9 for the draft lottery.

So what could that Portland pick look like in a loaded 2026 draft class? Very good.

Three possible prospects at No. 15:

Braylon Mullins – UConn – SG/SF

Unless the Bulls hit big with their first pick and jump into the top four (20.3% chance to do so), a run on guards will likely be the choice at No 9 – think Mikel Brown Jr. That allows this second pick to be more luxury or need and every team needs shooting. Hello Mr. Mullins.

Aday Mara – Michigan – C

The 7-foot-3 big man is on the climb, showing in the championship run he can see the floor like a guard, good rim-runner, and a legit protector in the paint. He could be an instant cover up for all the issues the Bulls have had in the shot-blocking department at the center position.

Jayden Quaintance – Kentucky – C/PF

Before blowing his knee out at Arizona State his freshman season, the 6-10 athletic big was holding block parties on a nightly basis (2.6 blocks per game). He transferred to Kentucky in what was really a season of recovery, but the feeling is he could be one of the bigger steals and worth the gamble for a team with multiple first-round picks.