Chicago Bulls Central

Tiago Splitter wants to use a deep Chicago Bulls rotation, Nic Claxton is out for the preseason, and Patrick Williams is once again entering a season with something to prove.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three questions that could shape Chicago’s preseason.
First, Splitter has indicated that he expects to use roughly nine to 11 players, believing the pace he wants Chicago to play makes an eight-man rotation unrealistic. That sounds good in theory, but 240 total player-minutes still have to be divided with purpose. If five starters average 30 minutes, that leaves only 90 minutes for the entire bench. Pasted text
That creates real competition.
Tre Jones has to organize the offense. Buddy Hield, Jordan Hawkins and Jaylin Sellers compete for shooting. Isaac Okoro and Dailyn Swain bring perimeter defense. Jalen Smith, Zach Collins and Tobe Awaka provide frontcourt support, while Patrick Williams, Leonard Miller, Noa Essengue and Swain fight for forward minutes. Pasted text
Then we get into Nic Claxton’s hamstring injury.
Claxton will miss the preseason and be re-evaluated after two weeks. That does not guarantee he returns immediately after that evaluation. With Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson already confirmed as four starters, Chicago still has to decide who handles the center role while Claxton is unavailable. Pasted text
This becomes a major audition for Jalen Smith, whose impact must go beyond scoring. Can he communicate coverages, contain the ball long enough for guards to recover, avoid fouls and finish defensive possessions with rebounds? Pasted text
And finally, it’s FACTS OR CAP:
Does Patrick Williams deserve another fresh start?
Williams averaged 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.5 minutes last season while shooting 37.2% from the field, and he still has three seasons and $54 million remaining on his contract. A new coaching staff should evaluate him fairly, but his contract cannot guarantee his minutes. Pasted text
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
👀 How Splitter’s 9-to-11-man rotation could work
⏱️ Why 240 available minutes still create difficult decisions
🎯 Jordan Hawkins’ place in the shooting competition
🔒 Okoro vs. Swain for defensive minutes
😬 How Claxton’s absence changes Chicago’s defensive coverage
🔥 Jalen Smith’s opportunity at center
💪 Tobe Awaka’s preseason audition
🧠 What Matas and Caleb must do defensively without Claxton
🧢 FACTS OR CAP on Patrick Williams
⚔️ Why P-Will must earn minutes over Chicago’s younger forwards
💬 Who do you think gets squeezed out if Tiago Splitter settles on a nine-man rotation?
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Jordan Hawkins is suddenly available, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson are being asked to grow together as Chicago’s new forward pairing, and the NBA’s changing lottery rules are forcing Bulls fans to rethink what rebuilding should actually look like.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three major questions facing the Bulls.
First, Jordan Hawkins.
Memphis waived Hawkins shortly after acquiring him from New Orleans. Once he clears waivers, Chicago could potentially pursue him without surrendering trade assets. But there’s a major question: does Hawkins actually fill a need anymore after the Bulls added Buddy Hield and Norman Powell? Hawkins has shot 34.8% from three across 174 NBA games, which complicates the idea that Chicago would simply be adding a proven shooter. Pasted text
The more interesting option may be Chicago’s open two-way slot. Hawkins could become a low-cost developmental bet if he accepts that role, but a standard roster spot should require stronger evidence that he can help the rotation immediately. Pasted text
Then we get into Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson.
Matas has already called the pairing potentially “dangerous,” but Chicago needs more than highlight plays. The Bulls need to learn whether Matas and Caleb can create space for each other, share offensive responsibility, communicate defensively and function alongside Nic Claxton without clogging the paint. Pasted text
Haize also breaks down several two-man actions Tiago Splitter should test this season, including handoffs, inverted screening and off-ball actions designed to develop their chemistry without overloading either player. Pasted text
And finally, it’s FACTS OR CAP:
“The Bulls need to lose more games to rebuild properly.”
The new lottery structure complicates that argument. Beginning in 2027, the bottom three teams have roughly 5.4% odds at the No. 1 pick, while the other seven non-play-in teams sit around 8.1%. Losing more no longer automatically gives Chicago the best shot at the top pick. Pasted text
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
👀 Should Chicago take a chance on Jordan Hawkins?
💰 Two-way deal vs. standard roster spot
🐂 Why Matas + Caleb could become Chicago’s long-term forward pairing
🧠 Two-man actions Splitter should test
🔒 What their defensive chemistry must prove
😳 Why tanking may no longer maximize No. 1 pick odds
📈 How veterans can actually HELP young-player development
🧢 FACTS OR CAP on whether the Bulls need more losses
💬 Would you use Chicago’s final two-way spot on Jordan Hawkins or keep it open for someone already in camp?
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The Chicago Bulls may have more young rotation depth than fans realize. Dailyn Swain, Jaylin Sellers and Noa Essengue are all fighting for NBA minutes, but each one has a very different pathway into Tiago Splitter’s rotation.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what each young Bull must prove to force his way onto the floor.
First, Dailyn Swain.
Summer League could hardly have gone worse statistically. Swain shot 4-for-31 from the field and 0-for-7 from three, while struggling with significant point-guard responsibilities. But training camp has reportedly looked completely different. Splitter described Swain’s improvement as “night and day,” praising his confidence and aggression attacking the paint. Swain has also made it clear he wants to guard the opponent’s best player.  Pasted text
That may be his fastest route to minutes.
At 6-foot-7 and roughly 220 pounds, Swain gives Chicago another large wing who can defend, rebound and push in transition. He does not need to outscore Norman Powell or Buddy Hield. He needs to prove the Bulls can maintain their defensive pressure when Isaac Okoro leaves the floor.  Pasted text
Then there’s Jaylin Sellers.
The undrafted two-way guard led the Big East in conference scoring at 19.6 points per game, averaged 18.3 overall and showed legitimate scoring flashes in Summer League. His challenge is turning that scoring ability into efficient NBA offense without monopolizing possessions.  Pasted text
And finally, Noa Essengue.
After a difficult Summer League in which Splitter questioned his physicality, training camp has brought more encouraging reports. Splitter says Essengue has become more aggressive, is fighting for rebounds, protecting the rim, getting stronger and following instructions.  Pasted text
The challenge for all three is simple:
Potential will not put them in the rotation. Repeatability will.  Pasted text
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
- 😳 Why Swain looks “night and day” different
- 🔒 How defense could get Swain immediate minutes
- 🎯 Sellers’ pathway from scorer to NBA rotation guard
- 👀 Why Sellers may be Chicago’s emergency scoring option
- 💪 What Noa must prove physically
- 🛡️ Essengue’s small-ball center potential
- ⚔️ Who each young Bull is competing with
- 🧠 Why repeatability matters more than upside
- 📞 Bulls Central listener voicemails
💬 Which young Bull earns the biggest role this season: Dailyn Swain, Jaylin Sellers or Noa Essengue?
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Is Caleb Wilson really the Chicago Bulls’ best incoming prospect since Michael Jordan? And can Buddy Hield reverse his recent decline and become a dependable scorer again in Chicago?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize dives into two major Bulls debates before closing with listener voicemails.
First, it’s FACTS OR CAP on Caleb Wilson.
Sam Smith recently said Wilson is as good an incoming prospect as he has initially seen while making it clear he was not calling Caleb the next Michael Jordan.
That creates a much more interesting debate:
How does Caleb’s pre-NBA profile compare with Derrick Rose, Jay Williams and Elton Brand?
Haize evaluates the comparison using what was known before each player made his NBA debut:
🔥 College production
💪 Athletic tools
🧠 Offensive creation
🔒 Defensive potential
📈 Projected ceiling
⚠️ Identifiable weaknesses
Wilson averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists at North Carolina and then opened Summer League with a 35-point performance.
But Rose entered Chicago as the No. 1 overall pick with elite speed, strength and proven ability to create advantages with the ball. Jay Williams and Elton Brand also arrived with major college résumés and National Player of the Year credentials.
So is Caleb already clearly ahead of them?
Then we turn to Buddy Hield. 🏹
Hield’s recent three-point shooting drill showed the touch is still there, but the larger question is whether he can regain consistent production after his minutes, scoring and three-point accuracy all declined over the last three seasons.
Chicago may have a path to helping him.
Josh Giddey and Tre Jones can create timely shooting opportunities. The Bulls’ bigs can screen for him. And Norman Powell could become especially important by creating actions where defenders have to choose between staying attached to Hield or helping on Powell.
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
😳 Caleb Wilson vs Derrick Rose as incoming prospects
🌟 Why Caleb belongs in the conversation
🌹 Why Rose remains the strongest counterargument
🎓 Jay Williams and Elton Brand’s cases
⚠️ What Caleb still has to prove
🧢 FACTS OR CAP verdict
🏹 Buddy Hield’s three-year statistical decline
📊 Why fewer minutes explain part of the scoring drop
🎯 How Chicago can generate cleaner Hield attempts
🔄 Powell–Hield two-man actions
🔒 The defensive requirement Hield must meet
📞 Bulls Central listener voicemails
💬 Using only what was known before their NBA debuts, who was the better Bulls prospect: Derrick Rose, Caleb Wilson, Jay Williams or Elton Brand?
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Could Karl-Anthony Towns eventually become a realistic Chicago Bulls target? Could Nic Claxton actually start possessions guarding point guards? And can Tiago Splitter build an aggressive defense without Chicago constantly putting opponents on the free-throw line?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three major questions surrounding the Bulls’ future and the defensive identity beginning to take shape under Tiago Splitter.
First, Karl-Anthony Towns.
Jake Fischer’s reporting has New York and Towns apart on extension value, while Towns holds a roughly $61 million player option for 2027–28. The important distinction: there is currently no credible reporting that Chicago is pursuing him. The Bulls angle is a roster-building scenario about whether Chicago’s young core could develop enough this season to make a major veteran addition sensible next summer. Pasted text
Towns averaged 20.1 points and 11.9 rebounds while shooting 36.8% from three, giving Chicago a potential pick-and-pop center who could open the floor for Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson. Pasted text
But before Chicago even considers that level of investment, Matas, Caleb, Giddey and the young supporting cast need to prove this roster is ready for an expensive win-now addition. Pasted text
Then we get into one of the wildest defensive possibilities Splitter has discussed:
👀 Nic Claxton guarding point guards.
Splitter did not announce that as an everyday assignment, but he floated it as a matchup possibility. That creates fascinating options for cross-matching, switching and using Chicago’s length to disrupt an offense before the first screen even arrives. Pasted text
And finally…
😤 Chicago wants to become more physical defensively. But the NBA’s officiating points of emphasis on push-offs, screening contact, freedom of movement and driving lanes mean aggression has to come with discipline. Pasted text
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
👀 Could Karl-Anthony Towns fit Chicago’s 2027 timeline?
🌟 What Matas Buzelis must prove before a major Bulls investment
💪 Why Caleb Wilson’s development matters to any KAT scenario
💰 The roster decisions required to afford a star-level addition
🔒 Nic Claxton guarding point guards?!
🧠 Switching vs. cross-matching explained
😳 Claxton potentially starting possessions on Cade Cunningham
🚫 Who protects the rim when Claxton is outside?
😤 How physical can Chicago play under the NBA’s officiating emphasis?
🐂 What Bulls fans should track during preseason
💬 What would Matas and Caleb have to show this season for YOU to support Chicago spending big on a player like Karl-Anthony Towns?
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