The Chicago Bulls enter the 2026 NBA Draft at a critical crossroads. With the No. 15 pick in hand and a new front office led by Bryson Graham, the franchise has a clear opportunity to add a high-upside talent who can immediately contribute to a roster still searching for identity and cohesion.
Multiple respected mock drafts — including those from The Ringer, Yahoo Sports, ClutchPoints, and ESPN — project Baylor’s Cameron Carr falling right into the Bulls’ lap at 15. Yet Chicago has a well-documented history of zagging when the consensus screams zig. This time, the Bulls must resist that temptation and make the obvious, high-floor selection.
The Case for Cameron Carr
Carr turned heads at the NBA Combine with his polished game and athletic profile. He projects as a quality offensive piece who could fit seamlessly alongside Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, providing the kind of spacing, scoring, and defensive versatility this roster desperately needs.
In his third collegiate season at Baylor — after two years at Tennessee — Carr started all 34 games, logging 33.7 minutes per night. He delivered impressive across-the-board production: 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. Most importantly, he shot an efficient 49.4% from the field and 37.4% from three-point range on 6.1 attempts per contest.
That 37.4% mark from deep, combined with his defensive instincts and overall basketball IQ, makes Carr the exact type of two-way contributor who can move the needle for a Bulls team looking to stabilize its core.
Avoiding the Reach Trap
J. Kyle Mann of The Ringer recently highlighted Chicago’s historical draft tendencies, noting that under previous regimes the Bulls often gravitated toward hyper-long, bouncy athletes still learning the nuances of the game. With Bryson Graham now at the helm, that pattern doesn’t have to continue. Everything is on the table for a roster that lacks clear identity and chemistry among its key pieces.
Carr stands out precisely because he already knows how to play at a high level. He doesn’t require years of development to contribute — his game is ready for translation to the NBA floor. Passing on him in favor of a riskier, higher-upside project at No. 15 would represent exactly the kind of unnecessary reach the Bulls have fallen into before.
There is also legitimate concern that Carr’s stock could rise sharply between now and draft night. If the Bulls want him, they cannot afford to overthink. The smart move is to take the player the consensus already views as a strong fit rather than trying to outsmart the room.
Don’t Rock the Boat
The 2026 NBA Draft offers the Bulls a chance to reset the narrative around their drafting approach. Cameron Carr represents the rare prospect who checks multiple boxes: proven production, shooting ability, defensive potential, and immediate fit.
Instead of zigging yet again, Chicago should zag in the smartest way possible — by simply making the pick everyone expects and that the numbers support. At No. 15, Cameron Carr has all the makings of a steal.
The message to Bryson Graham and the front office is straightforward: Don’t complicate it. Just pick Cameron Carr.