2026 NBA Draft: Is Aday Mara the Bulls’ FUTURE Big Man? | CHGO Bulls Podcast

On today’s show, CHGO Bulls is looking ahead to the big men in the 2026 Draft. With two picks in the top 15, the Bulls have a real opportunity to draft a center and lock down their five-man of the future. Will Gottlieb brings in guest Alex Nesnidal to break down Aday Mara, Hannes Steinbach, Jayden Quaintance, Morez Johnson and Chris Cenac Jr. who could all be in play at both 9 and 15. They also examine Henri Veesaar, Tarris Reed, Luigi Suigo and others that could potentially fall to 38. What type of big should the Bulls prioritize? What strengths and weaknesses are worth the risk-reward? What should the strategy be around one of the most important positions moving forward? An ALLCITY Network Production ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports BUY MERCH: https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/chgo-locker FOLLOW ON SOCIAL: Twitter: @CHGO_Sports Instagram: @CHGO_Sports Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online orders of $50 or more with my code bulls15 at https://www.huel.com/bulls15 . New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo PrizePicks: ○ Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CHGO and use code CHGO and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! PrizePicks. It's Good to be Right! Shady Rays: Head to [https://shadyrays.com](https://shadyrays.com/) and use code: CHGOSR for 40% off 2+ pairs of polarized sunglasses. Try for yourself the shades rated 5 stars by over 300,000 people. Monarch: Use Monarch to get control of your overall finances with 50% off your first year at https://www.monarch.com/chgo Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake! Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Head to https://factormeals.com/chgobulls50 and use code chgobulls50 to get 50% off. That’s code chgobulls50 at https://factormeals.com/chgobulls50 to get 50% off! HelloFresh - Get 10 FREE meals at https://hellofresh.com/freebulls. Applied across 7 boxes, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #Bulls #ChicagoBulls #BullsNation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the rumors that if Minnesota Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd lands the Chicago Bulls lead executive job, he will hire Micah Nori as the next Bulls head coach. Lloyd and Nori have worked well together in Minnesota for several years, with Nori even filling in for Chris Finch as acting head coach for the Wolves in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Does Nori have a sufficient resume and the right character to lead a Bulls rebuild and young roster? Peck and Big Dave analyze the hypothetical pairing in this CHGO Bulls minipod!    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss a report that the Chicago Bulls pursued Denver Nuggets rising star Peyton Watson at the deadline, and could do so again in free agency this summer. Jake Fischer reported that the Bulls and Lakers inquired about Watson’s availability at this season’s trade deadline, but were rebuffed by the Nuggets. Will things change this summer as Watson is due for a big payday and Denver’s books are already stacked? Peck and Big Dave weigh the likelihood of a new Bulls front office pitching big names like Watson or Mark Williams in free agency. Or, will new management look to add draft capital by taking unwanted contracts from salary cap-stressed teams? Plus, the guys react to the latest action in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the NBA’s new proposal for Draft Lottery reform and its impact on the Chicago Bulls rebuild. The new system, being called the “3-2-1 lottery”, has support from a majority of NBA teams according to Shams Charania’s report on Tuesday. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb weigh the pros and cons the new system could have on the Bulls as they begin a rebuilding phase. If the Bulls stay true to their organizational identity and refuse to “tank”, could they avoid being one of the relegation teams at the bottom of the standings next season? Can they land in that 4th through 10th in the lottery sweet spot? Plus, the guys discuss the potential negative impact it could have on the league’s truly bad teams that aren’t tanking. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss Dave Lewin being added to the Chicago Bulls front office search and interview process. Lewin, currently serving as Assistant GM for the Boston Celtics, was added to the list of candidates by Jake Fischer on Tuesday morning. Fischer reported that Lewin has also advanced to the in-person round of interviews being conducted by Michael Reinsdorf, John Paxson and executive search firm TurnkeyZRG. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb review Lewin’s impressive resume that includes a collegiate internship with the Cleveland Cavaliers and various scouting, salary cap and analytics roles with the Celtics. Should Lewin be a leading candidate next to Minnesota’s Matt Lloyd? Plus, the guys review some of the latest NBA Mock Drafts with the Bulls selecting the 9th and 15th picks. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 SHOW START 1:20 DAVE LEWIN TO BE INTERVIEWED 18:00 LEWIN'S RESUME 32:00 MORE LEWIN REACTION 40:00 REACTIONS TO MOCKS 1:00:00 SHAMS ON NEW LOTTO An ALLCITY Network Production ALL THINGS CHGO: https://linktr.ee/chgosports BUY MERCH: https://store.allcitynetwork.com/collections/chgo-locker FOLLOW ON SOCIAL: Twitter: @CHGO_Sports Instagram: @CHGO_Sports Limited Time Offer – Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online orders of $50 or more with my code bulls15 at https://www.huel.com/bulls15 . New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! WATCH YOUR FAVORITE TEAMS: https://www.fubotv.com/chgo PrizePicks: ○ Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CHGO and use code CHGO and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup! PrizePicks. It's Good to be Right! Shady Rays: Head to [https://shadyrays.com](https://shadyrays.com/) and use code: CHGOSR for 40% off 2+ pairs of polarized sunglasses. Try for yourself the shades rated 5 stars by over 300,000 people. Monarch: Use Monarch to get control of your overall finances with 50% off your first year at https://www.monarch.com/chgo Ray Auto Group: Get into your next vehicle with Ray Auto in Fox Lake! Ray Chevy: https://www.raychevrolet.com/ Ray CDJR: https://www.raycdjr.com/ Head to https://factormeals.com/chgobulls50 and use code chgobulls50 to get 50% off. That’s code chgobulls50 at https://factormeals.com/chgobulls50 to get 50% off! HelloFresh - Get 10 FREE meals at https://hellofresh.com/freebulls. Applied across 7 boxes, new subscribers only, varies by plan. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase. When you shop through links in the description, we may earn affiliate commissions. Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. #Bulls #ChicagoBulls #BullsNation Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the latest reports on the Chicago Bulls front office search, with Matt Lloyd listed among the finalists. Jake Fischer reported for The Stein Line on Sunday that Lloyd, Bryson Graham and Dennis Lindsey are already regarded as “finalists” for the lead Bulls executive job after an initial round of virtual interviews. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb analyze the updated list, and the seemingly quick progression in the Bulls’ search. The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly going after Lloyd’s boss in Minnesota, Tim Connelly. If Connelly can be coaxed away from the Timbewolves’ gig, shouldn’t the Bulls be pursuing him, too? Plus, the guys react to a huge playoff performance from former Bulls fan favorite Ayo Dosunmu. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, Will Gottlieb and Big Dave dive into the Shams Charania report that Austin Brown has pulled his name from the list of candidates for the Bulls’ vacant head of basketball operations position. What does this mean for the Bulls as they continue their search? Plus, the crew talks Will Gottlieb’s article detailing the off season priorities for the Bulls. Is nailing the hire of a head of operations the biggest priority? Must the Bulls hit on both 1st round picks? Also, Tim Cato joins the crew to talk his NBA fan survey. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode, we dive into the Chicago Bulls coaching candidates for the vacant head coach position. Names like Taylor Jenkins (Signed with the Bucks during the recording of this show), Steve Kerr, Micah Nori and even Tom Thibodeau have been brought up as potential leads for the position. Do these coaches impact the Bulls immediately? Are the the right fit for the future? Plus, we take a look at Will Gottlieb’s article detailing other names the Bulls may want to take a look at. Should the new Head of Ops take a swing on Wes Unseld Jr.? Also, there are some college coaches who may want to try their hand at being an NBA head coach. Would Dan Hurley be good for this young core? Is Jon Scheyer willing to leave Duke to come back home to coach the Bulls? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On the latest CHGO Bulls series 'GM Spotlight', the guys welcome Cavs analyst and Fear the Fro Podcast host Bob Schmidt. They get intel one of the Bulls GM candidates, current Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey. Strengths, weaknesses and why he could be a good fit for the Bulls covered in this conversation! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the Chicago Bulls front office vacancy, and which kinds of candidates are best suited for the job. The initial list of names from Shams Charania are all second-tier executives of their current teams, general managers or Senior VPs under EVPs and Presidents. Should the Bulls give an opportunity to someone like Matt Lloyd, Bryson Graham or Dave Telep who’s never held the lead executive job with an NBA team? Should the Reinsdorfs and their search firm also be going after bigger names, currently holding the #1 job with other teams, or a deeper resume of past successful regimes? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb also talk with Fear The ‘Fro Podcast host Bob Schmidt to get more intel on Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey, one of the six named candidates for the Bulls job. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.