As the 2025-26 NBA regular season enters its final stretch, the Chicago Bulls are laser-focused on building for the future—and the lottery gods appear ready to deliver. With a projected top-10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Bulls are in prime position to add a game-changing talent. March Madness is underway, giving scouts the perfect stage to evaluate the draft’s top prospects in high-stakes environments. And according to Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft from Jonathan Wasserman, the Bulls are set to strike gold with the No. 9 overall selection: Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries.
This 6’4″, 205-pound freshman phenom is no ordinary prospect—he’s a physical specimen built like a tank, combining elite strength, relentless aggression, and a polished scoring arsenal that screams NBA-ready impact. Burries has transformed from a slow-starting freshman into one of the nation’s most consistent and efficient scorers, snowballing belief in his upside across scouting circles. For a Bulls team desperate to inject athleticism, shooting, and backcourt physicality alongside Josh Giddey, landing Burries would be a seismic shift toward contention.
Wasserman’s breakdown paints a vivid picture of why Burries fits Chicago like a glove:
“After a slow start for Brayden Burries, belief and interest around his potential has gradually snowballed with the consistent scoring outputs. He’s the type of guard who doesn’t need flashy self-creation off the dribble to get to the rim or hit jumpers. He has been super efficient in ball-screen situations getting downhill and pulling up in the mid-range.
“He’s had lots of success attacking closeouts and space in transition, using his frame well to shield defenders and create easy finishing angles. Certain evaluators just may have a difficult time picturing upside in a 6’4″, limited playmaker.”
That “limited playmaker” caveat aside, Burries’ production is undeniable. In 34 games for a powerhouse Arizona squad, the 20-year-old has posted eye-popping splits: 49.2% from the field, 36.7% from three, and 80.4% from the free-throw line. He’s averaging 15.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game in 29.5 minutes—numbers that highlight his efficiency, defensive tenacity, and ability to contribute without forcing the issue.
What makes Burries a true “superstar” fit for the Windy City? His physical domination. At 6’4″ and a muscular 205 pounds, he plays with NBA-level strength—using his broad frame to bulldoze through contact, shield defenders on drives, and finish through traffic. He’s a downhill force in pick-and-rolls, a deadly mid-range pull-up threat, and a transition terror who attacks closeouts with authority. Pair that with his elite shooting touch and active defense (those 1.6 steals don’t come by accident), and you have a two-way guard who can thrive next to Giddey’s playmaking vision.
The Bulls’ backcourt would instantly gain a new dimension: Giddey’s elite passing feeding Burries for open threes, downhill attacks, and transition buckets. Burries doesn’t demand the ball to dominate—he thrives off movement, spacing, and winning plays. In a league increasingly valuing versatile, tough guards who can score efficiently without drama, this kid is tailor-made for Chicago’s rebuild.
Of course, the NCAA Tournament will be the ultimate proving ground. Flaws could surface under March pressure, and scouts (including those from the Bulls) will be watching every possession. But Burries has already shown he can deliver against top competition—leading Arizona with consistent outputs, earning All-Big 12 honors in some projections, and rising steadily up draft boards.
If the lottery balls bounce the Bulls’ way and they secure that top-10 slot, selecting Brayden Burries could mark the arrival of their next cornerstone. A 6’4″ tank bringing physical domination, silky shooting, and winning mentality to the United Center? Windy City fans, get ready—this could be the superstar infusion the franchise has been craving. The future in Chicago just got a whole lot more exciting.