2026-27 Bulls Fantasy Preview
The Bulls are firmly in rebuild mode, but that isn't necessarily bad news for fantasy managers. Chicago has assembled an intriguing mix of young talent and proven veterans, creating plenty of breakout potential while still offering a handful of reliable draft targets.
Josh Giddey, PG/SG
📊 Trend: ↔️ to ⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, REB, AST
⚠️ Risk: 🟠 to 🟢 Medium to Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Scoring consistency, improved 3PM and FG%, lower TOs
💡 Quick Hits: Giddey was one of the league’s hottest players in fantasy to start the season in 2025-26. Unfortunately, he tied his career low in games played (54) and saw a significant drop in scoring and FG% efficiency over the last 30 days of the regular season. However, he was relatively durable before 2025-26.
❓ Big Question(s): Giddey hit a career-best 1.9 3s per game last season. Can Giddey build on his breakout shooting without sacrificing the all-around production that makes him special?
🎯 Draft Range: 30-40
⭐ Fantasy Take: Due to the premium placed on assists, Giddey will go earlier than whatever projected value he may have. He was third in the league (9.1 APG), so if that’s a key category you’re contesting, go ahead and target him, but be mindful of the negatives that come with his positives.
Matas Buzelis, SF/PF
📊 Trend: ⬆️⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, REB, BLK, 3PM
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Better scoring and FG%
💡 Quick Hits: Buzelis saw across-the-board improvement in his sophomore season and led the Bulls in games played at 77.
❓ Big Question(s): How much better can Buzelis get as he enters his third year in the league? The Bulls drafted an ultra-athletic and talented forward in Caleb Wilson. How will Buzelis adapt to sharing the forward position with the No. 4 overall pick in 2026?
🎯 Draft Range: 50-65
⭐ Fantasy Take: With Buzelis, it comes down to momentum and growth trajectory. He has a great base stat set and should still get better this coming season – don't expect another leap of the same magnitude.
Caleb Wilson, SF/PF
📊 Trend: N/A (Rookie)
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, REB, STL, BLK, 3PM, FG%
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Keep his Summer League 3-point shooting volume and %
💡 Quick Hits: Wilson has received many Kevin Garnett comparisons and rightfully so. He passed the eye test in Summer League action, exceeding expectations due to his higher volume of shots from downtown. He projects to be a multi-cat contributor from Day 1.
❓ Big Question(s): It was easy for Wilson to thrive in college, and even against SL-level competition, but how well can his game translate against tougher, NBA-level competition?
🎯 Draft Range: 75-90
⭐ Fantasy Take: From a fantasy standpoint, Wilson has a stat set that can be fantasy gold. From a fantasy standpoint, Wilson's versatility gives him multiple avenues to fantasy value. Even if the scoring comes slowly, his rebounds, defensive stats, and improving 3-point shot should keep him relevant. If the offense develops sooner than expected, a top-50 finish isn't out of the question.
Norman Powell, SG/SF
📊 Trend: ⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: PTS, 3PM, FG%, FT%, TO
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: See minimal regression from his All-Star-caliber numbers in MIA (tough to achieve, though)
💡 Quick Hits: Powell was a first-time All-Star selection in 2025-26 thanks to excellent scoring and 3-point shooting on efficient FG%. He’s also been relatively durable, averaging 63.5 games played over his last four seasons.
❓ Big Question(s): The Bulls are a different team and offer a different situation for the sharpshooter. How can his role with his new team still translate into bankable fantasy value?
🎯 Draft Range: 80-90
⭐ Fantasy Take: While it’s unlikely that we see Powell reprise his All-Star season with the Heat this season, he could still very well lead the Bulls in scoring and 3-point shooting this season. It’s important to factor in some age-related decline (33 years old), but his game is the kind that can stay fantasy-relevant longer than most.
Nic Claxton, C
📊 Trend: ⬇️
🗝️ Key Stats: REB, BLK, FG%, TO
⚠️ Risk: 🟠 Medium
🔓 Value Unlock: Improve PTS, REB, BLK
💡 Quick Hits: Claxton lands with the Bulls this season via a sign-and-trade deal worth $97 million over four years. That’s a lot of $ to pay a player you don’t intend to start, so it’s safe to assume that his role and minutes will be secure come opening night. His fantasy production has steadily declined over the past four seasons, particularly in blocks, making this a pivotal year for his value.
❓ Big Question(s): Will the fresh start in Chicago be enough for Claxton to regain some of the fantasy value he once had?
🎯 Draft Range: 115-125
⭐ Fantasy Take: There’s no data to support a return to Claxton’s days as a 2.5-block, top-50 version of himself, diminishing any urgency to take him in drafts. Consider him as a booster for blocks (1.3-1.8 BPG) with some rebounds and plus-FG% folded in.
Tre Jones, PG
📊 Trend: ⬆️
🗝️ Key Stats: AST, STL, FG%, FT%, TO
⚠️ Risk: 🟢 Low
🔓 Value Unlock: Solid sixth-man role, increased playing time as an injury replacement player
💡 Quick Hits: Jones saw stable minutes with the Bulls last season, despite a glut at the PG position. He produced a bump in value during games that he started while Josh Giddey was sidelined. The addition of Norman Powell does throw a monkey wrench into Jones’s minutes and usage.
❓ Big Question(s): Can Tre Jones force his way to 26-28 minutes a night?
🎯 Draft Range: 125-135
⭐ Fantasy Take: Jones is best viewed as a Giddey handcuff or an assists/steals streamer who doesn’t hurt you anywhere. Jones is one of the better late-round contingency picks in fantasy. His standalone value is modest, but he's proven capable of flirting with top-100 production whenever injuries elevate him into a starting role.
👀 Players to Watch: Leonard Miller, Jalen Smith, Rob Dillingham
