There is still hope that the Bulls’ lottery odds could increase. Could Chicago manage a late season miracle and rise to top-4 odds in the upcoming NBA draft? Looking at their play of late, Bulls fans have reason to get excited.
Could the Bulls Lottery Chances Increase in the Late Season?
Middle-ranked teams have a decision to make come the season’s final third. They can fight their way into the play-in and hope to reward fans with a playoff appearance. Or, they can flounder their way into the NBA lottery big board, hoping to land a big-name talent from the upcoming class. This year’s prize is Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, and Bulls fans would love a chance to see him play in the United Center.
The Chicago Bulls are currently 23-36, sitting as the 10th seed in the Eastern Conference. On the edge of the play-in, they are only a few games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets. Their record has currently earned them a 6% chance at the #1 overall pick, the 8th-best odds.
In their most recent games since the All-Star break, Bulls fans have had some great basketball. An OT thriller against the Knicks, a blowout victory against Philadelphia, and several phenomenal performances from Josh Giddey. They are 1-3 in these four games, but those losses could make a big difference for the Bulls come draft night.
Bulls’ Floundering Record a Hidden Positive
Losing hurts, but the Bulls’ falling win percentage will help them in their pursuit of Flagg. Since January 1st, the Bulls are 8-18, the 5th worst record in that time. At that pace, the Bulls could finish the season with just 30 wins, much higher than that of Washington or Charlotte, but they could outpace other teams for a higher pick. Here are those possibilities.
The Toronto Raptors are 11-15 since Jan 1, and are on pace to finish with 27 wins. Although the Bulls are expected to win a few more than that, the Raptors have been playing better. They are 2-8 in their last 10, same as Chicago; however, the Raptors have the easiest remaining schedule in the NBA with an rSoS of -4.87. There is a possibility the Bulls underperform while the Raptors overperform and make a lottery switch. Their upcoming game on February 28th is a great opportunity to gain ground.
A second sneaky opportunity for the Bulls’ lottery odds is the Brooklyn Nets. They have a 9-17 record since the new year, slightly better than Chicago, but have been performing much better as of late. Brooklyn is currently 6-4 in their last 10 games and could continue that pace with several losing teams on their schedule. The Nets are sitting one spot ahead of Chicago in the draft lottery and could be the Bulls’ best chance to move up. Their matchup on March 13th is a key game for Chicago.
The Bulls’ Hail Mary chance is the Philadelphia 76ers. The City of Brotherly Love has struggled in 2025, posting a record of 7-21, the 2nd worst in the NBA. Notably, they are 1-9 in their last 10 games as Paul George and Joel Embiid struggle. Philadelphia is only 2.5 games behind Chicago, and if the Sixers can turn up the heat in just a few games, it could mean rising odds for Chicago.
Hopeful Expectations for Bulls Fans
The late success of the Brooklyn Nets is truly the best chance for Chicago to rise in the ranks. Toronto is also hoping to grow their odds as their newly acquired star is unlikely to take the court this season. Philadelphia’s stars have been underperforming, and their fate in the draft seems written in stone. However, the game changes late in the year, and anything can happen. One good streak for the Bulls could mean playoff contention; one bad one could mean higher draft odds. Where they end up is truly up to Billy Donovan and the Bulls’ roster.
