Chicago Bulls Central

Jonathan Kuminga chose Minnesota over the Chicago Bulls — so is Bryson Graham finally done making moves, or is one more roster swing coming before opening night?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three major questions that could shape the Bulls’ 2026-27 season.
First, the Jonathan Kuminga saga is over. Kuminga agreed to a two-year deal with Minnesota after reportedly choosing the Timberwolves over offers from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland. With Bennedict Mathurin and Sylvain Francisco also off the board, the Bulls have now missed on multiple players who could have added self-created offense.
But does that mean Bryson Graham should force another move?
Chicago still has an open roster spot and flexibility. That gives the Bulls the ability to evaluate Rob Dillingham, Dailyn Swain and Jaylin Sellers, pursue another young player who unexpectedly becomes available, absorb salary for an asset, or simply wait until training camp exposes a real weakness.
Then Haize tackles one of the biggest on-court questions facing Tiago Splitter:
🔥 Who is the Bulls’ closer?
Is it Norman Powell, the proven All-Star scorer who can create efficiently without dominating the basketball?
Is it Josh Giddey, Chicago’s best playmaker and late-game offensive organizer?
Or should Matas Buzelis begin receiving the high-pressure possessions that will determine whether he can eventually become the Bulls’ true No. 1 scoring option?
Haize lays out a potential late-game hierarchy where Giddey quarterbacks the possession, Powell gets the first scoring opportunity and Matas becomes the developing second-side closer.
Finally, the show dives into a Bulls combination that may be getting overlooked:
👀 Josh Giddey + Nic Claxton.
Giddey has already shown how effective he can be creating offense with a skilled center. Claxton gives him a completely different weapon — vertical spacing, rim runs, lob finishing and short-roll playmaking.
If Giddey and Claxton develop chemistry, their pick-and-roll could generate easier scoring opportunities for Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Norman Powell.
But there is a major question: Will the Bulls have enough shooting around them to keep defenses from packing the paint?
🔥 Today’s topics:
Jonathan Kuminga choosing Minnesota over Chicago
Is Bryson Graham finished making moves?
Bulls’ final roster spot and $9M+ flexibility
When patience becomes inactivity
Who should close games for Chicago?
Norman Powell vs Matas Buzelis
Josh Giddey as the Bulls’ late-game quarterback
Why Matas needs meaningful clutch possessions
Josh Giddey + Nic Claxton pick-and-roll potential
How Claxton could unlock Caleb Wilson and Matas
Chicago’s biggest starting-lineup spacing concern
How Tiago Splitter can counter teams going under Giddey screens
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown.
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Could the Chicago Bulls’ crowded offense hurt Caleb Wilson’s Rookie of the Year case?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down one of the biggest questions around the Bulls’ young core: Can Caleb Wilson win Rookie of the Year while sharing the offense with Josh Giddey, Norman Powell and Matas Buzelis? Caleb was one of the best players in Summer League, and the league may be even higher on him than the national media, but one concern is real — Wilson may not have the same clean path to touches as some other rookies.
Haize explains why Caleb is already a legitimate ROY candidate after averaging 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.3 steals in Summer League while shooting 50% overall and 41.9% from three. But the bigger discussion is how Tiago Splitter should structure Chicago’s offense so Caleb gets enough quality looks without slowing down the development of Matas Buzelis.
The key is understanding the difference between touches and shot attempts. Josh Giddey needs the ball to organize the offense, but he does not need to lead the team in shots. Norman Powell can score efficiently without hijacking possessions. Nic Claxton needs touches as a screener and roller, not as a high-volume scorer. That leaves room for Caleb and Matas if the Bulls build the offense correctly.
Then Haize asks whether the Bulls’ bench scorer may already be on the roster. Chicago explored Bennedict Mathurin, Jonathan Kuminga and Sylvain Francisco, but failed to land another scorer. Now the opportunity may fall to Dailyn Swain or Jaylin Sellers, two young players who offer completely different paths to solving the bench offense problem.
Swain brings size, rim pressure, rebounding, defense and secondary creation. Sellers brings shooting, microwave-scoring upside and a more traditional bench scorer profile. Haize breaks down why Sellers may be the more likely immediate scorer, while Swain may be the more likely consistent rotation player.
🔥 Topics include:
Caleb Wilson’s Rookie of the Year chances
Whether the Bulls’ offense is too crowded for Caleb
Matas Buzelis’ development vs Caleb’s ROY push
Josh Giddey’s role in creating easy baskets
How Tiago Splitter should stagger Caleb and Matas
What Caleb needs to average to win ROY
Dailyn Swain as a bench scorer candidate
Jaylin Sellers’ microwave scoring upside
Why the Bulls may keep the 15th roster spot open
Bulls voicemail reactions on Bruce Brown, SG of the future and player perception
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
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Should the Chicago Bulls take a swing on Cam Whitmore after Cleveland waived him?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why the Bulls’ potential connection to Cam Whitmore should be treated as logical speculation — not confirmed reporting. There is currently no credible report that Chicago has contacted Whitmore or plans to submit a waiver claim, but the fit is worth discussing because the Bulls have an open roster spot, need bench scoring, and have already been connected to several scorer types this offseason.
Haize explains why Whitmore should interest Chicago. He is still only 22, has NBA scoring production on his résumé, and brings the downhill athleticism, transition force, physicality and self-created scoring upside the Bulls failed to land with names like Bennedict Mathurin, Jonathan Kuminga and Sylvain Francisco.
But this is not a no-brainer. Whitmore’s season ended because of an upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, meaning any Bulls pursuit must begin with a serious medical evaluation. Chicago also has to decide whether adding Whitmore helps the rebuild by creating legitimate competition — or complicates the development path for Dailyn Swain, Jaylin Sellers, Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, Patrick Williams and Noa Essengue.
Then Haize shifts to a bigger roster question: is the Bulls’ depth being overlooked? Chicago may have 12 or 13 players capable of contributing, but the real question is how many of them Tiago Splitter can actually trust. The Bulls have plenty of playable bodies, but their bench still lacks the kind of proven scoring punch that separates the East’s best second units.
Haize breaks down why Tre Jones is Chicago’s most dependable reserve, why Jalen Smith and Zach Collins give the Bulls frontcourt insurance, why the wing depth is more uncertain than it looks, and why Rob Dillingham may be the swing player who decides whether Chicago’s bench is closer to top-seven in the East or stuck in the bottom half.
🔥 Topics include:
Should the Bulls claim Cam Whitmore?
Why Whitmore fits Chicago’s bench scoring need
The medical concern Chicago cannot ignore
Whitmore vs. Swain, Sellers and Dillingham
Why development minutes should not be protected from competition
Is the Bulls’ bench being underrated?
Tre Jones as Chicago’s safest reserve
Jalen Smith, Zach Collins and frontcourt depth
Patrick Williams’ bench role complication
Rob Dillingham as the swing piece for the second unit
How Tiago Splitter should stagger starters and reserves
Voicemail reactions on Claxton, development, Patrick Williams and Tiago’s offense
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
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The Chicago Bulls are entering a new era, and several roles on this roster could change fast.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why Bryson Graham and Tiago Splitter appear to be steering the Bulls toward a true rebuild instead of chasing the Play-In Tournament at all costs. That means this season could feel very different — roles will be earned, young players will be tested, and veterans may not be locked into the same responsibilities they had under the previous regime.
Haize starts with Josh Giddey, whose role could become more simplified. Giddey may still be important as a facilitator, but with Norman Powell, Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis expected to carry more scoring responsibility, Tiago Splitter may not ask Giddey to be the same scoring-heavy lead guard Chicago saw last season.
Then the show shifts to Leonard Miller, who could force his way into bigger minutes after a strong finish last season. Miller averaged nearly 15 points and 7.3 rebounds over his final 18 games while shooting efficiently, and his size, energy and two-way upside could make him a natural fit for the new Bulls identity.
The most explosive conversation: Patrick Williams’ rotation spot may no longer be safe. Patrick is still making major money, but this new front office has no attachment to that contract. With Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Isaac Okoro, Leonard Miller, Noa Essengue and Jalen Smith all competing for forward minutes, Patrick should have to earn his role in camp.
Haize also breaks down the Bulls’ failed search for a bench scorer. Chicago missed on or was connected to Bennedict Mathurin, Jonathan Kuminga and Sylvain Francisco, leaving a real opportunity for Rob Dillingham, Jaylin Sellers and Dailyn Swain to claim the job.
Finally, Haize asks whether Bryson Graham quietly built this roster for another trade-deadline pivot. Norman Powell, Tre Jones, Zach Collins, Jalen Smith and Isaac Okoro can all help now — but they may also become movable assets if contenders come calling.
🔥 Topics include:
Josh Giddey’s changing offensive role
Leonard Miller’s chance to steal minutes
Patrick Williams fighting for his rotation spot
Rob Dillingham vs Jaylin Sellers vs Dailyn Swain
The Bulls’ failed bench scorer search
Training camp battles under Tiago Splitter
Norman Powell as a possible deadline asset
Tre Jones, Jalen Smith, Zach Collins and Isaac Okoro trade value
Bryson Graham’s rebuild strategy
Development vs. deadline selling
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
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Jonathan Kuminga reportedly turned down the Chicago Bulls — and now Bulls fans have to ask what it really means.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the updated Kuminga situation after he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-year, $13 million deal with a second-year player option. Chicago reportedly made an actual offer, along with the Lakers and Trail Blazers, but Kuminga chose Minnesota’s role, winning situation, and path to rebuilding his value.
Haize explains why the rejection is not devastating, but it is interesting. Kuminga fits Chicago’s age timeline, but the Bulls already have Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Patrick Williams, Noa Essengue and Leonard Miller competing for forward minutes. The bigger concern is whether young players view Chicago as a place where they can build value — especially if the Bulls offered more money and still lost out.
Then the show shifts to Bennedict Mathurin, who signed with New Orleans on a two-year, $16 million deal with a player option after averaging 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists last season. Haize asks whether Chicago made a mistake by not prioritizing a 24-year-old scorer at that price — especially when the Bulls still need downhill shot creation.
Finally, Haize looks at whether Jordan Hawkins should now be on Chicago’s radar. New Orleans had reportedly discussed Hawkins trades before adding Mathurin, and Hawkins’ $7 million salary fits inside Chicago’s remaining room exception. But Haize warns that Hawkins is not Mathurin or Kuminga — he is a low-cost shooting experiment whose actual NBA production has not matched the reputation yet.
🔥 Topics include:
Jonathan Kuminga turning down the Bulls
Why Kuminga chose Minnesota
What the rejection says about Chicago’s appeal
Did the Bulls avoid a Kuminga mistake?
Did Chicago miss a bargain with Bennedict Mathurin?
Mathurin vs. Norman Powell value debate
Jordan Hawkins as a potential Bulls trade target
Whether Hawkins fits next to Giddey, Caleb and Matas
Bryson Graham’s real offseason plan
Patience vs. missed opportunity
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
Get at us:
Email: BullsCentralPod@gmail.com
Twitter:@BullsCentralPod
Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

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