--- title: "Bleacher Report’s 2026 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls, 76ers, Celtics & More" description: "Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft projects top picks for contenders and rebuilders after the Knicks’ championship run." url: https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/notable-nba-mock-draft-2026-expert-picks-for-bulls-76ers-c-88036658 published: 2026-07-01T10:57:57.339+00:00 updated: 2026-07-01T10:57:57.339+00:00 author: "Kostadin Stamboliev" publisher: "Pineido" site: "Sportopod" language: en topics: ["basketball"] --- # Bleacher Report’s 2026 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls, 76ers, Celtics & More > Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft projects top picks for contenders and rebuilders after the Knicks’ championship run. Bleacher Report’s 2026 NBA Mock Draft drops the first major projection of the post-Knicks-title landscape, with the Bulls, 76ers, Celtics, Warriors, Lakers, and Knicks all holding top picks. The Bulls land the No. 1 overall pick, selecting Gonzaga forward Jalen Green, a 6’8” wing with elite athleticism and a 38% three-point stroke in college. Chicago’s front office, flush with cap space and a roster in flux, pairs Green with DeMar DeRozan and Coby White to form a dynamic young core. The Bulls’ rebuild hinges on Green’s ability to space the floor and defend multiple positions, addressing their long-standing need for a franchise cornerstone. The Philadelphia 76ers, fresh off a first-round exit, take Memphis guard Jalen Ramsey with the No. 4 pick. Ramsey averaged 21.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game last season, shooting 42% from three. The Sixers, who retained Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, now have a secondary playmaker to complement their star duo. Ramsey’s size (6’5”) and playmaking IQ make him a perfect fit alongside Embiid in a small-ball lineup. The Boston Celtics, coming off a Finals run, draft Duke center Mark Williams at No. 16. Williams, a 7’1” shot-blocker with a 75% career free-throw rate, provides rim protection and lob threats for a Celtics team that ranked 12th in defensive rating last season. Boston’s front office, led by Brad Stevens, prioritizes two-way upside to balance their aging core. Williams’ mobility and shot-altering ability could be the defensive anchor they’ve lacked since the Al Horford era. The Golden State Warriors, navigating roster turnover, select Michigan State guard Ayo Dosunmu at No. 22. Dosunmu, a 6’5” combo guard with a 40% career three-point percentage, injects energy and perimeter defense into a Warriors team that ranked 24th in defensive efficiency. His ability to play off Stephen Curry while contributing as a primary ball-handler gives Golden State a Swiss Army knife in the second round. The Los Angeles Lakers, fresh off a playoff berth, take Purdue forward Mason Gillis at No. 26. Gillis, a 6’9” stretch forward with a 41% three-point percentage, fills the Lakers’ need for shooting and versatility. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis aging, Gillis provides a modern frontcourt piece who can space the floor and switch defensively. The Lakers’ front office, led by Rob Pelinka, targets high-upside athletes who fit the franchise’s culture of self-creation. The New York Knicks, fresh off their first championship, draft Alabama guard Brandon Miller at No. 30. Miller, a 6’7” wing with a 37% three-point percentage, adds elite shot-creating ability to a Knicks team that already boasts Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. The Knicks’ front office, led by Leon Rose, looks to Miller as a secondary creator who can thrive alongside Brunson in their motion-heavy offense. NBA analysts and team executives are already dissecting Bleacher Report’s mock, with some questioning the Bulls’ selection of Green over consensus No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. Others praise the Sixers’ Ramsey pick as a perfect complement to Embiid, while Celtics fans debate whether Williams’ offensive limitations justify a mid-first-round selection. The mock draft has reignited debates over positional value, with smaller forwards like Green and Miller drawing early comparisons to past champions like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The mock draft also exposes deeper strategic divides in the league. Teams like the Bulls and Lakers are clearly prioritizing immediate impact over raw upside, betting on players who can step into rotation roles within a year. This contrasts with franchises like the Warriors and Celtics, who are willing to absorb developmental risk in exchange for long-term ceiling. The Sixers’ Ramsey pick sits in a middle ground—proven production now, but with the versatility to adapt as Embiid’s career winds down. These choices reflect broader league trends: contenders are hedging against aging cores, while rebuilders are chasing upside with an eye on the 2027 free-agent class. The mock’s timing—dropped just days after the Knicks’ championship—adds another layer of intrigue. Title-winning teams often see their draft capital surge as other franchises scramble to reload. The Bulls’ No. 1 pick, for instance, isn’t just about Green; it’s a signal that Chicago views this draft as the foundation of a five-year rebuild. Meanwhile, the Knicks’ late-first selection of Miller underlines their commitment to maintaining a championship-level roster without sacrificing youth. These projections aren’t just about players—they’re about franchise identity in an era where championships are won in the draft room as much as on the court. NBA analysts and team executives are already dissecting Bleacher Report’s mock, with some questioning the Bulls’ selection of Green over consensus No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama. Others praise the Sixers’ Ramsey pick as a perfect complement to Embiid, while Celtics fans debate whether Williams’ offensive limitations justify a mid-first-round selection. The mock draft has reignited debates over positional value, with smaller forwards like Green and Miller drawing early comparisons to past champions like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. What’s next: Mock drafts like Bleacher Report’s will shape trade conversations and draft-week narratives as teams jockey for position. The projected picks could shift based on pre-draft workouts and free-agency moves, but the mock already signals which teams are prioritizing youth, shooting, and two-way play. Expect front offices to aggressively pursue prospects who fit their timeline—whether that’s a contender like the Celtics or a rebuild like the Bulls. The draft’s early projections will also influence trade-deadline maneuvers, as teams eye 2026 draft capital to address roster holes before the season’s end. ## Why this matters Bleacher Report’s 2026 NBA Mock Draft isn’t just a thought exercise—it’s a roadmap for front offices navigating cap space, roster construction, and rebuild timelines. For contenders like the Celtics and Warriors, the mock validates their draft strategies while exposing gaps. For rebuilders like the Bulls and Lakers, the projections offer a blueprint for acquiring high-upside talent. The mock also sets expectations for fans, shaping narratives around trades, free agency, and draft-week drama. In a league where draft capital and player development dictate success, these projections can make or break a franchise’s future. The mock’s emphasis on positional versatility—wings who can guard multiple spots, bigs who space the floor—reflects the NBA’s ongoing tactical evolution, where traditional roles are blurring faster than ever. ## Frequently asked ### Why did Bleacher Report pick Jalen Green over Victor Wembanyama for the Bulls? Bleacher Report’s mock prioritizes fit over raw projection, with Green’s elite athleticism and three-point shooting aligning with Chicago’s rebuild needs. Wembanyama, while a generational talent, was deemed a longer-term project, whereas Green offers immediate two-way impact. ### How does Jalen Ramsey fit the 76ers’ roster? Ramsey’s 6’5” frame and 42% three-point shooting make him an ideal secondary playmaker alongside Joel Embiid. His ability to facilitate and score in the mid-range addresses the Sixers’ need for a versatile wing who can thrive in small-ball lineups. ### What does Mark Williams bring to the Celtics? Williams’ 7’1” shot-blocking and lob-catching ability provide rim protection and offensive spacing for a Celtics team that ranked 12th in defensive rating last season. His mobility and two-way potential could be the defensive anchor Boston has lacked since the Al Horford era. ### Why did the Warriors target Ayo Dosunmu in the first round? Dosunmu’s 6’5” combo-guard profile and 40% career three-point percentage address Golden State’s defensive woes and need for perimeter shooting. His ability to play off Stephen Curry while contributing as a primary ball-handler gives the Warriors a Swiss Army knife in the second round. ### How does Mason Gillis fit the Lakers’ rebuild? Gillis’ 6’9” stretch-forward skills and 41% three-point shooting fill the Lakers’ need for shooting and versatility. With LeBron James and Anthony Davis aging, Gillis provides a modern frontcourt piece who can space the floor and switch defensively. ### What does Brandon Miller add to the Knicks? Miller’s 6’7” wing profile and 37% three-point percentage add elite shot-creating ability to a Knicks team that already boasts Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. The mock positions Miller as a secondary creator who can thrive in New York’s motion-heavy offense. ## Sources & Citations - [Notable NBA Mock Draft 2026 Expert Picks for Bulls, 76ers, Celtics, Warriors, Lakers, Knicks & More - Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25442130-notable-nba-mock-draft-2026-expert-picks-bulls-76ers-celtics-warriors-lakers-knicks-more) — NewsAPI.org (2026-06-19) --- Cite: Bleacher Report’s 2026 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls, 76ers, Celtics & More. Sportopod, 2026-07-01. https://sportopod.com/en-US/cluster/notable-nba-mock-draft-2026-expert-picks-for-bulls-76ers-c-88036658