NBA Trade News: Chicago Bulls trade for center night before draft

With the Chicago Bulls set to have two picks during the first round of the 2026 NBA Draft on Tuesday night, the team made a trade for a center.

With the No. 4 pick, the Bulls are expected to pick whoever is left among the top four prospects: AJ Dybansta, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson. Wilson is thought to be the most likely prospect on the board when Chicago picks.

The Bulls were thought to have an interest in taking center Aday Mara out of Michigan, but it’s unclear if he’ll be on the board at No. 15. In the meantime, Chicago has been doing homework on guards for its second selection.

Per Shams Charania of ESPN, the Bulls are a part of a three-way trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets. Chicago will land center Nic Claxton. In another big piece of the offseason roster puzzle for the Bulls, the trade makes it less likely for a reunion with Ayo Dosunmu.

“Just in: Minnesota is sending Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick in the NBA Draft to the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade that sends Nic Claxton to the Chicago Bulls, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted on X. “The Timberwolves will acquire Brooklyn’s No. 33 pick for Randle and No. 28.

“Timberwolves free up significant salary with the remaining two years of Randle’s deal, giving them more flexibility to retain Ayo Dosunmu and use exceptions. Nets acquire a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA forward in Randle into their cap space — plus a first-rounder. Chicago uses part of its space on a talented athletic center, a position of need, with $30 million in room left.”

Chicago Bulls trade for C Nic Claxton

More News: Chicago Bulls: Insider hints at draft pick amid ‘movement’

Claxton, 27, averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game last season for the Nets. Brooklyn drafted him with the 31st pick in the second round of the 2019 draft.

The six-foot-11, 215-pound center started in 68 games for the Nets and appeared in 69.

This is not the most exciting trade for the Bulls, but will give them some flexibility before the draft by adding a starting center.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post NBA Trade News: Chicago Bulls trade for center night before draft appeared first on ChiCitySports.