The Chicago Bulls are getting another first-round pick in the 2026 NBA draft.
The Portland Trail Blazers will convey a non-lottery pick to the Bulls after beating the host Phoenix Suns 114-110 on Tuesday night in the play-in tournament to secure the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Blazers will face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
The pick — the final lingering element of the 2021 three-team trade that sent Lauri Markkanen to the Cleveland Cavaliers — was lottery-protected. With the Blazers making the playoffs, the Bulls now add another selection in a deep draft for a rebuild focused on developing young talent.
The Bulls will receive either the 15th or 16th pick, depending on whether the Suns, Los Angeles Clippers or Golden State Warriors advance out of the play-in tournament as the No. 8 seed.
The Clippers host the Warriors on Wednesday night, and the winner visits the Suns on Friday with a first-round matchup against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder at stake.
Deni Avdija scored 41 points — including a go-ahead three-point play with 16.1 seconds left — as the Blazers clawed back from an 11-point deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Suns.
Jordan Goodwin’s layup had given the Suns a 110-109 lead with 32 seconds left. Avdija, who also had 12 assists, responded with a physical take to the rim, making a layup while getting fouled and making the free throw for a 112-110 lead.
The Suns had a chance to go back ahead, but Jalen Green’s 3-pointer was off the mark. Goodwin grabbed the offensive rebound but was stripped by Matisse Thybulle to seal the win for the Blazers.
Green led the Suns with 35 points, and Devin Booker had 22.
Associated Press contributed.
