Chicago Bulls Lock In 2026 Lottery Odds, Move Closer to Adding First-Round Pick

A loss to the Mavericks on the final day of the season secured the Bulls' lottery position and increased their chances of acquiring a second first-round pick.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:43am

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The Chicago Bulls finished the 2025-26 season with a 31-51 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21. Their inability to make progress in recent seasons led to a front office shakeup, and the team entered the final game of the year with high stakes. A loss to the Dallas Mavericks locked in the Bulls' lottery odds, giving them a 20.3% chance at a top-4 pick and a 4.5% chance at the #1 overall selection. Additionally, the Bulls moved closer to securing a second first-round pick via a protected pick from the Portland Trail Blazers.

Why it matters

Being stuck in the middle of the NBA standings is considered one of the worst places for a team to be, as it prevents them from either competing for a championship or rebuilding through the draft. The Bulls' inability to put the team on a definitive path forward finally caught up to them, leading to a front office change. Locking in their lottery odds and potentially adding a second first-round pick could be crucial in attracting top talent to Chicago's new front office.

The details

The Bulls entered the final game of the season with a lot on the line. A win over the Mavericks and a loss by the Milwaukee Bucks would have resulted in a coin flip to determine the #9 spot in the NBA Draft Lottery. However, the Bulls' loss to the Mavericks locked them into the #9 spot, giving them a 20.3% chance at a top-4 pick and a 4.5% chance at the #1 overall selection. Additionally, the Bulls own a lottery-protected pick from the Portland Trail Blazers, and the Blazers' win over the Kings on the final day ensured they would remain in the #8 spot in the Western Conference standings. This increases the Blazers' chances of making the playoffs, which would eventually transfer the pick to the Bulls.

  • The Bulls finished the 2025-26 season with a 31-51 record on April 12, 2026.
  • The Bulls' loss to the Mavericks on the final day of the season locked in their lottery odds for the 2026 NBA Draft.

The players

Chicago Bulls

An NBA team that finished the 2025-26 season with a 31-51 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21.

Dallas Mavericks

The team the Bulls lost to 149-128 on the final day of the 2025-26 season.

Portland Trail Blazers

The team that owns a lottery-protected first-round pick that the Bulls are hoping to acquire.

Milwaukee Bucks

The team the Bulls were tied with for the #9 spot in the NBA Draft Lottery, which would have resulted in a coin flip to determine the order.

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What’s next

The Bulls will now wait for the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 14, 2026 to see where they land in the draft order. If the Trail Blazers make the playoffs, the Bulls will also acquire their first-round pick, further boosting their chances of adding top talent in the draft.

The takeaway

The Bulls' disappointing 2025-26 season and inability to make progress in recent years led to a front office shakeup. By losing to the Mavericks on the final day, the Bulls locked in their lottery odds, giving them a better chance at a top pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Coupled with the potential acquisition of a second first-rounder, this could be a crucial offseason for the Bulls as they look to attract top talent to their new front office and put the team on a more definitive path forward.