The Chicago Bulls hosted Arkansas guard and SEC Player of the Year Darius Acuff Jr. for a pre-draft workout on June 5. The move signals the team is exploring all options after unexpectedly moving up to the fourth overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.
Acuff was a dominant force in his freshman season, earning multiple accolades including SEC Player of the Year, SEC Rookie of the Year, and SEC Tournament MVP. He averaged 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 44.0% from three-point range across 36 starts for the Razorbacks. His offensive production and ability to command the floor have placed him firmly in the lottery conversation, with some analysts projecting him as a top-seven pick. According to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, Acuff has also worked out for Brooklyn and has visits planned with Milwaukee and Utah.
Despite Acuff’s credentials, most projections have the Bulls selecting North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson. Wilson, an athletic and versatile frontcourt player, averaged 22.8 points and 10.8 rebounds in his freshman campaign. Pairing him with Matas Buzelis is seen by many as the foundation for a formidable young frontcourt in Chicago. The Bulls, who finished the 2025-26 season with a 31-51 record, are in a crucial rebuilding phase under new executive Bryson Graham and also hold the 15th pick in a draft class considered deep with talent.
The decision at No. 4 will be a significant indicator of the new front office’s direction. While Wilson appears to be the logical choice, hosting a high-caliber prospect like Acuff demonstrates a thorough evaluation process. Acuff’s scoring prowess and playmaking ability present a different, guard-oriented path for a franchise seeking a cornerstone player to build around.
