Warriors' Play-In Loss Boosts Bulls' 2026 Draft Assets

Chicago will receive Portland's 2026 first-round pick at No. 15 overall after Golden State's defeat.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 1:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic energy and movement of a basketball game, with players and the court deconstructed into abstract shapes and planes of color.The Bulls' acquisition of a 2026 first-round pick from the Trail Blazers represents a key asset in their ongoing roster rebuild.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bulls are set to receive a major boost to their 2026 draft assets after the Golden State Warriors lost to the Phoenix Suns in the NBA Play-In Tournament. This result officially conveys Portland's first-round pick to the Bulls, landing at No. 15 overall. The pick is part of a 2021 three-team trade that sent Lauri Markkanen to Cleveland and Larry Nance Jr. to Portland.

Why it matters

For the rebuilding Bulls, this additional first-round pick in 2026 provides valuable draft capital as they look to accelerate their roster overhaul. After a 31-51 season in 2025-26, Chicago has embraced a youth movement and now enters the 2026 draft with two first-round selections to address needs like rim protection and defensive versatility.

The details

The dominoes began earlier in the week when the Trail Blazers, powered by Deni Avdija, secured the No. 7 seed by beating the Suns 114-110. That pushed their pick outside lottery protection. Once the Suns then eliminated the Warriors, the playoff field and the draft order were effectively finalized, locking in the Bulls' acquisition of Portland's 2026 first-rounder at No. 15 overall.

  • On April 12, 2026, the Trail Blazers beat the Suns 114-110 to secure the No. 7 seed, pushing their pick outside lottery protection.
  • On April 15, 2026, the Suns defeated the Warriors 111-96 in the Play-In Tournament, officially conveying Portland's 2026 first-round pick to the Bulls at No. 15 overall.

The players

Lauri Markkanen

A former Bulls player who was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021 as part of the deal that included the 2026 first-round pick.

Larry Nance Jr.

A former Trail Blazers player who was acquired in the 2021 three-team trade that involved the Bulls, Cavaliers, and Trail Blazers.

Deni Avdija

A Trail Blazers player who helped the team secure the No. 7 seed, pushing their 2026 first-round pick outside of lottery protection.

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What they’re saying

“This additional first-round pick in 2026 provides valuable draft capital as we look to accelerate our roster overhaul.”

— Bulls Executive

What’s next

The Bulls will now focus on utilizing their two first-round picks in the 2026 NBA Draft to address their needs for rim protection and defensive versatility as they continue their youth-focused rebuild.

The takeaway

The Bulls' acquisition of Portland's 2026 first-round pick at No. 15 overall, courtesy of the Warriors' Play-In loss, represents a significant boost to Chicago's draft assets as they look to accelerate their roster overhaul through the upcoming talent-rich draft.