Chicago Bulls Central

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!
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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
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ESPN projects the Chicago Bulls to go 31–51 again — but does that actually mean the Bulls failed to improve?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize reacts to ESPN’s Summer Forecast placing the Bulls 13th in the Eastern Conference at 31–51, the same record as last season. But the bigger story is the depth of the East: ESPN projects the 10th-place team at 44 wins, meaning Chicago could become a better basketball team and still not climb much in the standings.
Haize explains why ESPN’s projection is defensible. The Bulls are still beginning a real rebuild with Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue, Rob Dillingham, and a new head coach in Tiago Splitter all bringing different levels of uncertainty. But Haize also pushes back: this is not the same 31-win team simply running it back. Chicago added Caleb Wilson, Norman Powell and Nic Claxton, while also banking on internal growth from Giddey, Matas, Leonard Miller and Dillingham.
Then Haize asks whether Tiago Splitter can unlock Matas Buzelis the way he helped unlock Deni Avdija. Deni jumped from 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists to 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists under Splitter, while becoming a first-time All-Star. The lesson for Matas: attack with force, create for others, get to the free-throw line and stop letting the defense dictate where he plays.
Finally, Haize dives into the Windy City Bulls development plan after Chicago hired Quincy Pondexter to lead the G League team. Should Noa Essengue and Dailyn Swain spend time in the G League? Haize says yes — if it’s done correctly. Noa needs heavy reps. Swain should compete for NBA minutes first, but Windy City can be a development shuttle, not an exile.
🔥 Topics include:
ESPN projecting the Bulls at 31–51 again
Why the East’s depth changes the conversation
Why 31 wins could still be a successful development season
Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey as the real measuring sticks
Tiago Splitter’s possible impact on Matas
Deni Avdija’s leap as a blueprint
Noa Essengue and Dailyn Swain G League debate
Quincy Pondexter, Jordan Brink and Splitter building a real player-development pipeline
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
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Matas Buzelis wants to adjust his shot profile — and it could be exactly what his star leap needs.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why Matas wanting to reduce his three-point volume is not automatically a bad thing. After averaging 16.3 points while taking 6.4 threes per game and shooting 34.9% from deep, Matas may be looking to become more than just a rim-or-three scorer. The key is not abandoning the three-point shot — it is adding a reliable midrange counter that helps him become a true three-level scorer.
Haize explains why the midrange is not dead, why bad midrange basketball is dead, and how a 10-to-15-foot pull-up could help Matas punish defenders who run him off the line. If Matas can become a better finisher through contact, attack closeouts, get to the free-throw line and add a reliable short midrange game, his Year 3 leap could change the Bulls’ offensive ceiling.
Then the show shifts to Jalen Duren, whose contract situation with Detroit could get very interesting. Duren struggled in the 2025-26 playoffs, but Haize explains why Bulls fans should not let one bad postseason erase the fact that he is a 22-year-old All-Star center who averaged nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds in the regular season. If Duren reaches unrestricted free agency in 2027, Chicago should be watching closely — but only after evaluating Nic Claxton, Caleb Wilson’s shooting, and the long-term frontcourt fit.
Finally, Haize connects the Sylvain Francisco story to Rob Dillingham. The Bulls nearly added a EuroLeague guard who could score, shoot, run pick-and-roll and organize the second unit. That should not discourage Rob — it should motivate him. If Dillingham can become a reliable bench scorer and secondary creator, he could save Bryson Graham from spending assets on another guard.
🔥 Topics include:
Matas Buzelis wanting fewer threes
Why Matas needs a midrange counter
How Matas can become a three-level scorer
Why playoff scorers need counters
Jalen Duren’s contract situation
Should the Bulls monitor Duren in 2027?
How Duren would fit with Caleb, Matas and Giddey
Why Rob Dillingham should be fired up by the Francisco pursuit
Rob’s path to becoming Chicago’s bench scorer
How player development can save the Bulls assets
🎧 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
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Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

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