Chicago Bulls Central

Bleacher Report has Rob Dillingham pegged as the Chicago Bulls’ top breakout candidate for 2026–27 — but Chicago may have to make a major decision on his future before the breakout has time to fully happen.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what a legitimate Rob Dillingham leap would actually look like after he averaged 9.6 points, 2.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 21.5 minutes during his 30 games with Chicago last season.
The Bulls have until October 31 to decide whether to exercise Dillingham’s roughly $8.8 million fourth-year option for 2027–28. That means training camp, preseason and a small sample of regular-season basketball could become extremely important.
What does Chicago need to see?
Better shooting. More controlled decision-making. Value when Josh Giddey or Norman Powell initiates the offense. Fewer avoidable defensive mistakes. Most importantly, Dillingham has to prove he can help the Bulls during ordinary eight-minute stretches without needing a 20-point explosion to justify his minutes.
Haize also gives his full Rob Dillingham season prediction, including disappointing, likely and breakout statistical ranges.
Then we turn to Chicago’s final two-way contract.
Jaylin Sellers and Tobe Awaka already occupy two spots, leaving one available. Could former Alabama wing Houston Mallette provide the shooting Chicago needs? Can Boo Buie change the evaluation after a difficult Summer League? And should the Bulls monitor Trevor Keels if he becomes available following Washington’s camp?
Finally, we go deep into Tiago Splitter’s defensive options.
Should Chicago switch everything with Nic Claxton, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson? Or should Claxton remain closer to the rim while perimeter defenders fight over screens?
We break down selective switching, higher screen coverage, rim protection and what these choices could mean against combinations like Jalen Brunson–Karl-Anthony Towns and Donovan Mitchell–Evan Mobley.
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
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Is Chicago Bulls lead executive Bryson Graham already being judged too harshly before his rebuild has really had time to breathe?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize reacts to an editorial ranking that placed Chicago’s front office in its lowest tier. The key distinction: this is one writer’s evaluation, not a poll of NBA executives. The bigger question is whether Graham should be graded on the current roster, his first offseason decisions, or his still-unproven ability to eventually build a contender.
Chicago’s offseason added Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Norman Powell and Nic Claxton, giving Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis a much different supporting environment. Wilson represents a major bet on upside, Swain adds another developmental swing, Powell brings shooting and scoring, and Claxton gives Chicago a defensive anchor and finishing target.
But Graham still has major questions to answer: can Chicago develop Swain, find value outside the lottery, make smart veteran trades, identify which young players deserve future contracts and eventually turn flexibility into meaningful talent?
Then Haize explores the Alperen Şengün conversation.
There is no verified report that Houston is shopping Şengün. In fact, recent reporting highlighted Rockets executive Rafael Stone working to strengthen communication with him. But if Houston ever reconsidered its current construction, what circumstances could actually make a trade possible — and what would Chicago have to surrender?
Potential frameworks could involve Nic Claxton, Matas Buzelis and significant first-round compensation, or a larger package built around Claxton, Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue and additional draft capital. These are valuation exercises, not reported Houston asking prices.
Finally, should Tiago Splitter encourage a questionable shooting Bulls roster to launch MORE threes?
The argument isn’t about chucking shots. It’s about generating the right attempts through Josh Giddey–Claxton pick-and-rolls, paint touches, defensive rotations and movement. An open balanced miss can be a better developmental possession than a rushed make that violates the offense.
🔥 Chicago Bulls Central with Haize breaks down the front-office debate, Şengün’s hypothetical trade price, Matas and Caleb’s future, Chicago’s asset strategy and how Splitter can build a modern shooting philosophy.
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Caleb Wilson hasn’t played a regular-season NBA game yet, and HoopsHype already has the Chicago Bulls rookie ranked among the league’s top 15 power forwards.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why the ranking is exciting — but also why Wilson’s development as a playmaker could matter even more than where he appears on a preseason list.
Wilson already showed a foundation as a passer at North Carolina, averaging 2.7 assists while producing multiple six-assist performances. The next step isn’t asking him to become Chicago’s full-time offensive engine immediately. It’s testing whether he can extend advantages after the defense has already been shifted.
Tiago Splitter could explore Wilson as a grab-and-go transition creator, short-roll passer, elbow facilitator and occasional ball-screen initiator. The biggest developmental question is whether Caleb can make quick, accurate reads without slowing down Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis or Nic Claxton.
Haize also breaks down the three biggest signs of real Bulls chemistry during the first 25 games.
Chicago opens with six of its first eight games on the road, so early mistakes should be expected. What matters is whether offensive timing improves, defensive rotations become connected and players continue executing when roles, minutes and results become uncomfortable.
Finally, Jaylin Sellers just gave Bulls fans an inside look at the mentality behind his NBA journey.
Sellers documented the exhausting pre-draft process, the disappointment of going undrafted and the confidence that keeps driving him. His message was clear: he doesn’t believe 60 players in the 2026 draft were better than him. Now Chicago’s two-way guard has to turn that belief into defense, shooting, quick decisions and consistent production whenever his opportunity arrives.
🔥 Topics include:
Caleb Wilson’s top-15 power-forward ranking
Caleb’s playmaking ceiling
Short-roll passing with Josh Giddey
Caleb and Nic Claxton’s offensive fit
How Wilson can make Matas Buzelis better
Three signs of genuine Bulls chemistry
Offensive timing and spacing
Defensive communication
How players respond to changing roles
Jaylin Sellers’ NBA Draft journey
Why Sellers believes teams made a mistake
His path from a two-way deal to a standard NBA contract
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
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Taj Gibson is officially back with the Chicago Bulls — but his return could matter far more than simply giving fans a familiar face on the coaching staff.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down which young Bulls could benefit most from Gibson beginning his first NBA coaching job after a 17-year playing career that included more than 1,000 games. Gibson built his NBA longevity through physical defense, rebounding, screening, preparation and adapting to whatever role his team needed.
That makes Tobe Awaka an obvious potential pupil. Gibson can help the young big establish contact before rebounding, use leverage against taller centers, set better screens, defend without fouling and finish quickly around the basket.
But Taj’s influence could extend much further.
Caleb Wilson can learn how to handle NBA physicality while remaining productive without the ball. Matas Buzelis can take another step toward becoming a legitimate two-way star by improving his rebounding, positioning and physical defense. Leonard Miller can learn how to turn flashes of energy and athleticism into a defined NBA role. And Dailyn Swain and Jaylin Sellers can learn how to earn minutes through defense, cutting, rebounding and preparation even when their shots aren’t falling.
Haize also dives into how Norman Powell can remain a 20-point scorer without taking developmental touches away from Matas, Caleb and Josh Giddey. Instead of relying on isolation possessions, Chicago can use Powell as a moving weapon through pindowns, dribble handoffs with Nic Claxton, Spain pick-and-rolls, ghost screens and weak-side actions.
Finally, the Bulls may have an even more important training-camp battle than reserve scoring:
Who becomes Chicago’s perimeter stopper?
The Bulls allowed 121.5 points per game last season, and while Claxton can improve the back line, Chicago still needs someone capable of taking the toughest guard and wing assignments. Isaac Okoro enters as the safest option, while Dailyn Swain, Tre Jones, Jaylin Sellers, Matas and Caleb all offer different possibilities.
🔥 Topics include:
Taj Gibson’s return to Chicago
Tobe Awaka’s development
Caleb Wilson’s physical growth
Matas Buzelis becoming a two-way force
Leonard Miller’s role
Dailyn Swain and Jaylin Sellers earning minutes
Nic Claxton’s leadership responsibilities
Norman Powell’s offensive role
Tiago Splitter’s movement offense
Chicago’s training-camp stopper battle
Isaac Okoro vs Dailyn Swain
Who should guard the East’s best perimeter stars?
🎧 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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Chicago Bulls fans need to stop trying to trade Josh Giddey before this new roster even gets a chance to play together.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize reacts to another hypothetical trade proposal involving Giddey — this time sending him and Jalen Smith to Detroit for John Collins, Duncan Robinson and future draft compensation.
Important distinction: this is a proposed trade idea, not a report that the Bulls and Pistons are negotiating.
But it raises a much bigger question about how Chicago should handle its rebuild.
Giddey is only 23 years old and averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists while shooting 36.4% from three last season. He’s signed through 2028-29 at roughly $25 million annually, giving Chicago cost certainty while the organization evaluates whether he can grow alongside Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson.
And for the first time, the Bulls have actually built a roster around his strengths.
Norman Powell supplies shooting and off-ball movement. Matas can attack defenses already in rotation. Caleb brings transition athleticism and cutting. Nic Claxton provides a legitimate screen-and-roll threat. Jalen Smith can pull opposing centers away from the paint.
Why trade Giddey before seeing whether this ecosystem actually works?
Haize also breaks down Powell calling the Los Angeles Lakers overrated and uses that conversation to evaluate Bryson Graham’s first Bulls offseason. While Los Angeles pushed major future assets into immediate contention, Chicago remained patient, drafted Wilson and Dailyn Swain, added Claxton, brought in Powell and preserved future flexibility.
Was that genuine discipline — or did Chicago simply miss on several preferred targets?
Finally, the Bulls may not project as an elite shooting team, but Tiago Splitter could still encourage high three-point volume.
The key isn’t chucking contested shots. It’s creating quality threes through pace, paint pressure, dribble penetration, offensive rebounds and second-side ball movement.
🔥 Topics include:
Why Bulls fans should stop trying to trade Josh Giddey
Giddey’s fit with Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson
Why trading him now interrupts Chicago’s evaluation
The proposed Detroit trade
Giddey’s long-term questions
Norman Powell calling the Lakers overrated
Bulls vs Lakers offseason philosophies
Bryson Graham’s patience and flexibility
Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain development
Why the Bulls may shoot MORE threes
Tiago Splitter’s offensive philosophy
Giddey, Matas and Caleb’s developmental green light
Offensive rebounding as a way to survive missed threes
🎧 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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