Fan-Favorite Prospect Rising In Mock Drafts—Can Bulls Risk Him Falling To 15?
Chicago Bulls fans got the perfect start to the offseason. Step one was dismissing Arturas Karnisovas and his front office team. His seven-year tenure grew progressively more infuriating and ended in a disappointing trade deadline, where the team failed to acquire any top-tier draft capital or blue-chip prospects. Step two was adding a second first-round draft pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, via the Portland Trail Blazers earning a spot in the playoffs after Tuesday night’s win over the Phoenix Suns. With that victory, they’ll be drafting at 15 or higher, which means Chicago will own their top-14 protected draft choice. This is significant news for a few reasons. First, having two first-rounders in a loaded draft class is a perfect year to help catapult a rebuild. Next, this makes the front-office vacancies more appealing to potential hires. Assuming the latter of their picks lands at number 15 overall, here’s who the fans are calling for, the latest mocks have tied to the Bulls, and why they are both spot on.
Aday Mara Is The Pick
Over the last few weeks, as Chicago’s draft positioning became clearer in the bottom portion of the top ten, many fans and media outlets have debated whether the Bulls should snag one of the premier scoring guards or wings or add a much-needed center. For positional value, center should’ve been the top choice, but in a class that features more elite scoring options than ever, a three-point threat or three-level scoring wing might be available that typically would not be still around when they’re on the clock. Thankfully, they’ve gained some flexibility with the addition of another pick in the top 30, more likely in the top 16. The best possible outcome is to grab a bucket-getting smaller player at the nine slot, and add their center of the future with the 15th overall pick.
Could Aday Mara be the Bulls’ answer in the frontcourt?
Elite size, passing ability, and rim protection… but major concerns with conditioning and athleticism.
Is he worth the risk at #15?#NBADraft #ChicagoBulls #AdayMara #NBARookies #DraftTalk pic.twitter.com/Ge9eCwIVev
— Chicago Bulls Central (@BullsCentralPod) April 16, 2026
Mara has seen a similar draft projection shift as his Michigan teammate Yaxel Lendeborg. As massive contributors to a deep March Madness tournament run, their game was on full display and shot them both up NBA big boards. While his name is hot right now, it’s important to remember that over the last several months, he’s been mocked anywhere from 14th to 30th in the first round. While it would involve some risk, the Bulls should gamble that he will be there as their second choice and capitalize on the rare opportunity to grab a player in the mold of Keaton Wagler, Brayden Burries, or Nate Ament. In any other year, those players would be surefire top-eight selections.
Mara Has Spoken Highly Of Chicago
The debate over the next two months will be whether the Bulls have to grab Mara at nine and execute what many would consider a reach for their next anchor in the middle, or sit and wait until 15 and hope his name has not been announced. Wherever they choose to take the Michigan big man, they can be confident that he’s ready to play in the Windy City and welcomes the opportunity to join the rebuilding process.
Aday Mara said he was super happy to play in Chicago because he grew up playing 2K with the ‘96 Bulls, then rattled off almost the whole roster. I told him the Bulls needed a center this year and he laughed and looked very interested pic.twitter.com/E0GpksNsZa
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) March 13, 2026
The fans have largely backed grabbing a center, largely due to the massive void at the position that aligns with the timelines of Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. With the latest mocks this week, the largest sports media outlets are starting to agree.
Does Chicago grab their center for the next decade, and are they willing to risk him being around at 15, or do they lock it in at number nine?