Chicago Bulls Central

The Chicago Bulls’ first preseason game gave us much more than a win. It may have changed how we look at Dailyn Swain, Tobe Awaka and several players fighting for rotation minutes.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the biggest developments from Chicago’s preseason opener against Phoenix.
First, Dailyn Swain.
With Tre Jones unavailable, Swain received real ball-handling responsibility and responded with 10 points, six assists, two steals and three turnovers in 21:53 while going 3-for-3 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.  Pasted text
The question now is bigger than whether Swain can provide bench scoring.
Can he become another trustworthy decision-maker?
We break down why Chicago should continue testing him as a secondary creator, how he could work alongside Tre Jones, and what his playmaking could mean for shooters like Buddy Hield and Jordan Hawkins.  Pasted text
Then we get into Tobe Awaka.
Awaka exploded for 14 points, 11 rebounds and six offensive boards in just 21:21, shooting 6-for-8 from the field. The issue? Six fouls.  Pasted text
His rebounding gives Chicago an identifiable NBA skill that does not require plays to be called for him. But can he stay on the floor long enough to make that skill matter?
We also debut a full Bulls Stock Report after Game 1:
📈 Jalen Smith
📈 Leonard Miller
📈 Norman Powell
📉 Patrick Williams’ opportunity
📉 Josh Giddey’s scoring aggression
↔️ Matas Buzelis & Caleb Wilson
↔️ Noa Essengue
Jalen Smith finished with 13 points, eight rebounds and two made threes, while Leonard Miller scored 14 points on 5-for-7 shooting in only 14:26 with two steals and zero turnovers.  Pasted text
And before we get out of here, we look ahead to Memphis.
Chicago committed 24 turnovers against Phoenix, making ball security the first thing I need to see improve in Game 2.  Pasted text
🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:
- 👀 Dailyn Swain’s unexpected playmaking role
- 🧠 Why six assists matter more than the raw total
- 💪 Tobe Awaka’s elite rebounding activity
- 🚨 Why Awaka’s six fouls cannot be ignored
- 📈 Leonard Miller forcing his way into the rotation conversation
- 🎯 Jalen Smith’s spacing value
- 🔥 Norman Powell’s efficient offensive role
- 😬 What Patrick Williams’ substitution pattern could mean
- 🧠 Why Josh Giddey needs more scoring aggression
- 🌟 Matas & Caleb’s homework after Game 1
- 🚨 Chicago’s 24-turnover problem
- 🎯 Three things that MUST improve against Memphis
💬 Who changed your opinion the most after Chicago’s preseason opener?
👍 LIKE
🔔 SUBSCRIBE
🐂 Tap into Chicago Bulls Central with Haize!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
Get at us:
Email: BullsCentralPod@gmail.com
Twitter:@BullsCentralPod
Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

THE CHICAGO BULLS START THE TIAGO SPLITTER ERA WITH A WIN!

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns 111-108 in their first game of the 2026 NBA preseason, and there is plenty to discuss!

Join Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for a full postgame breakdown of Chicago's first preseason victory, including the performances of Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, and the rest of the new-look Bulls roster.

Chicago faced an early 40-29 deficit but responded with a strong second and third quarter to take control of the game.

🔥 TONIGHT'S POSTGAME DISCUSSION:

🏀 Matas Buzelis: Did he show the offensive aggression Tiago Splitter has been demanding?

🌟 Caleb Wilson: What did we learn from the rookie's first preseason appearance?

🧠 Josh Giddey: How effectively did he organize Chicago's offense?

🔥 Norman Powell: First impressions of his role alongside the young core.

💪 Jalen Smith: How did Chicago's frontcourt respond without Nic Claxton?

⚡ Tiago Splitter's System: Did the Bulls demonstrate the pace, physicality and defensive aggression their new coach wants?

👀 Bench Rotation: Which players helped their case for regular-season minutes?

📊 THE FINAL SCORE

Chicago Bulls 111
Phoenix Suns 108

The final score is encouraging, but the bigger question is whether Chicago showed meaningful progress in its new offensive and defensive identity.

💬 BULLS NATION, WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM TONIGHT'S WIN?

Was it Matas? Caleb? The coaching? Or something else entirely?

👇 Drop your reactions in the comments!

👍 LIKE the video
🔔 SUBSCRIBE to Chicago Bulls Central
🐂 Join Haize for Chicago Bulls news, analysis, reactions and basketball discussions all season long!

Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
Get at us:
Email: BullsCentralPod@gmail.com
Twitter:@BullsCentralPod
Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Tiago Splitter wants Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson doing more than simply finishing plays. He wants them helping dictate the Chicago Bulls offense.
That means this preseason becomes about more than points.
Splitter specifically challenged Chicago’s young forwards to become more aggressive in controlling possessions instead of waiting for opportunities to arrive. That means creating advantages, forcing defensive reactions and making the right decision once help comes.  Pasted text
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down how that should look for both players.
🔥 Can Matas attack before the defense gets set?
🧠 Can Caleb make decisions after screening and short-roll catches?
🎯 Can Josh Giddey create the right opportunities without controlling every possession?
👀 Will Norman Powell keep empowering the young forwards when mistakes happen?
Then we get into Chicago’s other major preseason challenge:
Winning the possession battle.
Playing fast means nothing if turnovers become opponent layups, aggressive rebounding destroys transition defense or gambling for steals repeatedly leaves teammates scrambling. Splitter has emphasized rebounding, creating steals and protecting the basketball as parts of Chicago’s preferred style.  Pasted text
And finally, it’s FACTS OR CAP on a fascinating Warriors trade proposal.
The hypothetical framework would send Norman Powell and Jalen Smith to Golden State while Chicago receives Kristaps Porziņģis, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and a top-four-protected 2028 first-round pick. This is a writer-generated proposal, not a reported offer or active negotiation.  Pasted text
Would the young players and draft asset justify removing Powell’s scoring and Jalen Smith’s spacing from a roster built around Matas and Caleb?
🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:
- Matas + Caleb being challenged to dictate offense
- What real creation responsibility should look like
- How Giddey should empower the young forwards
- Why productive mistakes matter
- The Bulls’ offensive rebounding vs. transition-defense balance
- Aggressive defense vs. reckless gambling
- How Chicago should attack when transition disappears
- Norman Powell Warriors trade debate
- Moody and Podziemski’s potential fit
- Jalen Smith’s overlooked value
- Why first-round pick protections matter
- FACTS OR CAP on making the deal
💬 Would you trade Norman Powell and Jalen Smith for Porziņģis, Moody, Podziemski and the protected first?
👍 LIKE
🔔 SUBSCRIBE
🐂 Tap into Chicago Bulls Central with Haize!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
Get at us:
Email: BullsCentralPod@gmail.com
Twitter:@BullsCentralPod
Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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?
👍 LIKE
🔔 SUBSCRIBE
🐂 Tap into Chicago Bulls Central with Haize!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
Get at us:
Email: BullsCentralPod@gmail.com
Twitter:@BullsCentralPod
Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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?
👍 LIKE
🔔 SUBSCRIBE
🐂 Tap into Chicago Bulls Central with Haize!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
Get at us:
Email: BullsCentralPod@gmail.com
Twitter:@BullsCentralPod
Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy