Chicago Bulls Central

The Chicago Bulls almost signed one of the best guards outside the NBA — and that may tell us a lot about what Bryson Graham thinks this roster still needs.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the report that the Bulls showed interest in Sylvain Francisco, the All-EuroLeague guard who finished second in EuroLeague MVP voting before signing a three-year deal with Panathinaikos. Francisco reportedly said Chicago wanted to complete another trade first, raising one major question: what was Bryson Graham planning?
Francisco is not a long-term core piece like Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, Dailyn Swain or Rob Dillingham, but his skill set makes the Bulls’ interest fascinating. He brings burst, pick-and-roll creation, pull-up shooting, bench scoring and second-unit organization — exactly the areas Chicago may still be evaluating behind Giddey and Norman Powell.
Haize discusses why Francisco could have made sense as a bridge guard, how he would have fit with Caleb Wilson, Nic Claxton and Jalen Smith in pick-and-roll actions, and why his 39.9% three-point shooting last season made him more than just a European scoring guard.
But the bigger story may be the mystery trade. Was Graham trying to consolidate the guard room? Move a veteran like Isaac Okoro or Jalen Smith for assets? Or was Francisco simply part of a larger sequence that never came together because of the NBA’s offseason holding pattern?
Then Haize shifts to Josh Giddey, who may need to score less this season — and that could actually make him more valuable. With Caleb Wilson needing developmental touches, Matas Buzelis needing more creation reps, and Norman Powell capable of handling tough scoring possessions, Giddey’s future may depend on whether he can become the connector who makes everyone better instead of chasing another 17/8/9 season.
🔥 Topics include:
Bulls almost signing Sylvain Francisco
What Bryson Graham may have been planning
The mystery trade Chicago wanted to complete first
Why Francisco’s EuroLeague production mattered
Rob Dillingham, Dailyn Swain and Jaylin Sellers’ opportunity
Josh Giddey’s changing offensive role
Why Giddey may need to score less
Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis needing creation reps
How Giddey’s game scales against the best Eastern Conference defenses
What this means for the Bulls’ long-term backcourt
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
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Could the Chicago Bulls still make one more free-agent swing before training camp?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the top free-agent and potential waiver targets who could still fit the Bulls’ rebuild, including Bennedict Mathurin, Cam Whitmore, Cam Thomas, Bruce Brown and Ochai Agbaji. The big correction: Cam Whitmore is not technically a free agent yet, but Cleveland is reportedly weighing a waive-and-stretch move that could put him on the market — and if that happens, he immediately becomes one of the most interesting Bulls targets available.
Haize explains why Mathurin is the best player available but also the most complicated option. He brings youth and proven scoring, but his restricted free-agent status, expected price range, and the likely need for a sign-and-trade make him a difficult fit for Chicago’s current plan.
The show dives into why Cam Whitmore might be the best realistic Bulls opportunity if Cleveland waives him. At only 22 years old, Whitmore offers scoring aggression, rim pressure, transition ability and reclamation upside at a potentially depressed price — exactly the kind of low-risk swing a rebuilding team should consider.
Haize also weighs Cam Thomas as a pure bench bucket-getter, Bruce Brown as a veteran stabilizer, and Ochai Agbaji as a quiet 3-and-D flyer. With several useful players still unsigned and most teams out of meaningful spending power, Chicago’s $9.4 million room exception may suddenly have real leverage.
Plus, Matas Buzelis wants his get back against Luka Doncic. After their March trash-talk exchange ended with Luka dropping 51, Matas said he would talk again and wants another shot — and Haize explains why that competitive edge matters for a young Bulls forward trying to earn respect.
🔥 Topics include:
Bulls free-agent options before training camp
Bennedict Mathurin’s fit and price problem
Cam Whitmore as a possible waiver target
Cam Thomas as bench scoring insurance
Bruce Brown as the veteran stabilizer
Ochai Agbaji as a low-cost wing flyer
Why Chicago’s room exception has new value
Matas Buzelis wanting revenge on Luka Doncic
Bulls voicemails on Matas, Cam Whitmore and future star swings
🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
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Email: BullsCentralPod@gmail.com
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Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

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The Eastern Conference got deeper, tougher and more star-powered — so where do the rebuilding Chicago Bulls actually fit?
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why the Bulls should absolutely try to win in 2026-27, but why this season should be judged more as an information season than a simple Play-In-or-bust campaign. Chicago is not really competing with the top of the East yet. The bigger question is whether Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson can prove they are the foundation of a team that can eventually climb the conference.
The East is no longer the soft conference fans have joked about for years. New York is the defending champion, Philadelphia added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, Boston still has Jayson Tatum, Miami added Giannis Antetokounmpo, Indiana gets Tyrese Haliburton back, Detroit went 60-22, and Cleveland added Peyton Watson while retaining James Harden.
Haize explains why Chicago’s real battle may not be with the championship tier yet, but with the teams directly ahead of them: Atlanta, Orlando, Charlotte and Washington. NBA.com’s preseason ranking had Atlanta ninth, Orlando 10th, Charlotte 11th, Washington 12th and Chicago 13th — making that group the Bulls’ immediate neighborhood.
The show also lays out the real success markers for the season: Caleb Wilson looking like a cornerstone, Matas making a meaningful Year 3 jump, Giddey proving he fits with both, Chicago improving defensively, multiple young players establishing roles, and Tiago Splitter building a clear identity.
Plus, Haize reacts to the Bulls getting bumped to No. 23 in CBS Sports’ front office rankings. Bryson Graham has brought Chicago a clearer direction, but he still has plenty to prove after a modest offseason built around flexibility, player development and evaluation.
🔥 Topics include:
Where the Bulls fit in a loaded Eastern Conference
Why Play-In-or-bust is too simple
Caleb Wilson’s cornerstone test
Matas Buzelis’ Year 3 leap
Josh Giddey’s long-term fit
Why the Bulls should prioritize information over empty wins
Chicago’s real tier: Atlanta, Orlando, Charlotte and Washington
Why the Central Division makes the climb harder
Bryson Graham’s front office ranking bump
Why the Bulls are in the prove-it stage
🎧 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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Matas Buzelis already proved he belongs — but now the Chicago Bulls need to find out if he can become one of the pillars of a real contender.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why the 2026-27 season could be the most important year yet for Matas Buzelis. After averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds as a rookie, Matas jumped to 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks last season while starting all 77 games he played. Now the question is bigger: can Matas go from promising young starter to a true piece Chicago can build around with Caleb Wilson and Josh Giddey?
Haize explains why Caleb Wilson’s arrival should not become a Caleb vs. Matas debate. Caleb projects as the physical downhill force, while Matas can become the perimeter-oriented scorer, secondary creator and weak-side defensive disruptor. If both develop properly, Chicago may have two forwards who solve different problems instead of two prospects competing for the same spotlight.
The show also lays out what “THE leap” actually looks like for Matas: roughly 20-22 points per game, improved creation, more dependable high-volume shooting, better free-throw pressure and more complete two-way defense. His post-All-Star production — 19.0 points and 6.9 rebounds — suggests the 20-point level is realistic if he can sustain it over a full season.
Then Haize replaces today’s Facts Or Cap segment with the new Cleveland trade question: did the Bulls miss out after the Cavaliers landed Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade? Reporting attributed to ESPN’s Shams Charania says Cleveland, Denver and the Clippers agreed to a deal sending Peyton Watson to the Cavaliers, Max Strus to the Clippers, and an unprotected 2031 Cavaliers first-round pick plus a 2032 Kings second-rounder to Denver; Watson is reportedly joining Cleveland on a four-year, $88 million deal, while the Clippers absorbed Strus’ salary through a trade exception.
Haize debates whether Chicago should have chased Watson as a young defensive wing who fits the rebuild, whether the reported price was too rich for a Bulls team still evaluating its core, and whether Bryson Graham should have at least tried to get involved on Max Strus as a shooting addition. The answer may be less about one missed player and more about what this deal reveals: rebuilding teams with flexibility have to be ready when aggressive teams need help.
Plus, Haize reacts to the idea of Kyle Korver returning to the Bulls’ front office after his Hawks departure. Korver has Bulls ties, a connection to Bryson Graham from Atlanta and a modern front-office résumé — but until stronger reporting emerges, it’s more of a back-burner storyline than a full rumor.
🔥 Topics include:
Matas Buzelis’ Year 3 leap
Why Caleb Wilson raises the stakes for Matas
Matas as Caleb’s co-star, not rival
What 20-point Matas would mean for the rebuild
Why creation matters more than raw scoring
Matas’ shooting, free throws and two-way growth
Cavaliers land Peyton Watson in sign-and-trade
Did the Bulls miss their chance at a young rebuild wing?
Should Chicago have tried to land Max Strus?
Why Bryson Graham’s patience is being tested
Kyle Korver front office speculation
🎧 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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ESPN is already betting big on Caleb Wilson’s future — and Chicago Bulls fans should absolutely be paying attention.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize reacts to ESPN’s 2026 rookie forecast, where Caleb Wilson keeps showing up in conversations about superstardom, All-NBA upside, long-term ceiling, draft steals and even eventual championship potential. Wilson was not the No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 pick, but ESPN insiders still ranked him among the rookies with one of the fastest paths to superstardom and the third-highest long-term ceiling in the class.
Haize breaks down why this should raise excitement without creating unfair rookie-year expectations. ESPN did not project Wilson as the rookie with the biggest immediate winning impact, which suggests the national conversation is separating his long-term ceiling from his immediate readiness. For the Bulls, that means patience, development and a long runway should matter more than forcing Wilson to look like a star in October.
The episode also looks at the bigger organizational challenge: ESPN clearly likes Wilson’s talent, but Chicago has to create the right developmental environment around him with Tiago Splitter, Jordan Brink, Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and the right shooting/spacing pieces. ESPN even described the Bulls as launching a rebuild around Caleb Wilson, which makes this one of the most important developmental seasons in recent franchise history.
Plus, Haize discusses whether the Bulls should take advantage of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ reported interest in moving Max Strus. Strus is owed $16.7 million next season, Chicago has room below the luxury tax, and his career 37% three-point shooting could help a Bulls team still thin on spacing — but Bryson Graham should demand assets if the Bulls are helping Cleveland solve a financial problem.
Finally, the Bulls lost one potential Summer League shooting gem, as Donovan Atwell was granted a fifth year of NCAA eligibility and is returning to Texas Tech. Atwell shot 45.8% from three last season in college and 48.5% from deep in Summer League, so seeing him return to school stings a little for a Bulls team that still needs shooting depth.
🔥 Topics include:
ESPN’s Caleb Wilson rookie forecast
Caleb’s superstar upside and All-NBA conversation
Why Caleb may need time despite his ceiling
Why Chicago must build the right environment around him
Rookie Revenge Tour implications
Could Caleb become the best player in the 2026 draft?
Max Strus salary-dump rumors
Why the Bulls should demand assets from Cleveland
Donovan Atwell returning to Texas Tech
What losing Atwell means for Bulls shooting depth
🎧 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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