Chicago Bulls Central

Shaquille O’Neal believes Matas Buzelis could become “a force to be reckoned with” in roughly two years—but what does Chicago need to accomplish before Matas gets there? And should the Bulls be monitoring Jalen Suggs if Orlando eventually shakes up its core?
On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize dives into three major Bulls storylines that could shape both the short-term rotation and the long-term rebuild.
First, we discuss Jalen Suggs.
ESPN’s recent preseason reporting raised questions about whether Orlando could revisit larger roster changes if its new coaching direction fails to improve how the group fits together. That does not mean the Bulls are pursuing Suggs or that Orlando has made him available—but it creates an interesting basketball question:
Would Suggs make sense as a long-term backcourt partner for Josh Giddey?
Suggs is 25, has already earned All-Defensive recognition and averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 assists and 1.8 steals last season. His point-of-attack defense could take pressure off Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Nic Claxton, but a 33.9% three-point mark and his availability would need to be weighed against the major financial and acquisition cost.
Then we get into the BIG Matas conversation. 🌟
Shaq recently praised Buzelis’ work ethic and development and predicted:
“In about two more years, he will be a force to be reckoned with.”
But becoming a “force” can’t just mean scoring more.
Haize breaks down the four things Matas needs to prove:
🔥 Can he create advantages against set defenses?
🧠 Can he consistently make the next pass when help comes?
💪 Can he handle NBA physicality?
🔒 Can he impact games when his shot isn’t falling?
And Chicago has responsibilities too.
If the Bulls truly believe Matas can become that type of player, Tiago Splitter needs to give him meaningful creation reps, allow him to play through developmental mistakes and figure out whether Matas and Caleb Wilson can eventually create offense for one another instead of always depending on someone else to manufacture advantages.
PLUS…
🩺 Zach Collins missed the opening full practice with a quad soft-tissue issue.
The current information does not indicate a long absence, but it immediately puts Chicago’s frontcourt depth under the microscope.
Can Jalen Smith establish himself as a dependable backup? Are Orlando Robinson and Tobe Awaka viable emergency options? And against massive Eastern Conference frontcourts, can Chicago actually survive stretches without Claxton?
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
👀 Why Jalen Suggs belongs on Chicago’s watchlist
🔒 How Suggs could change Bulls perimeter defense
💰 Why a Suggs deal would require a major commitment
🌟 Shaq’s huge Matas Buzelis prediction
🧠 What Matas must prove beyond scoring
🐂 How Matas and Caleb’s development affects future roster moves
🩺 Zach Collins’ quad issue
🔥 Jalen Smith’s opportunity
💪 Can Chicago handle bigger Eastern Conference frontcourts?
🧢 FACTS OR CAP: Bulls have enough frontcourt depth
💬 Would you rather invest in an elite defensive guard like Jalen Suggs—or prioritize a higher-level shooter next to Josh Giddey?
And…
What would convince you THIS season that Matas is on the path Shaq described: scoring, playmaking or two-way consistency?
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Bryson Graham made one thing clear at Chicago Bulls Media Day: this roster is NOT guaranteed to stay together. So which veterans could be moved first—and will Chicago’s new development philosophy extend to Noa Essengue the same way it does to Caleb Wilson?
On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three major questions surrounding the Bulls as training camp begins.
First, we look at Bryson Graham’s comments about Chicago’s veterans and future roster flexibility. Graham said nobody currently feels like he is “on the chopping block,” but acknowledged that the Bulls could change direction as the season provides more information. Chicago also still has its room exception and the February trade deadline as opportunities to continue reshaping the roster. Pasted text
That means players such as Norman Powell, Nic Claxton, Buddy Hield, Isaac Okoro, Jalen Smith, Tre Jones and Zach Collins may all be auditioning for more than minutes—they’re showing whether their value is greater helping Chicago’s young core or eventually being converted into future assets.
🔥 Norman Powell could potentially bring back Chicago’s strongest return because of his scoring, shooting and playoff experience.
👀 Buddy Hield may be the easiest deadline fit if his three-point shooting rebounds.
🧠 Nic Claxton presents the most important philosophical decision: is he Chicago’s long-term center or simply a bridge to the next one? Pasted text
Then we get into SLAP basketball—Bryson Graham’s preferred identity built around size, length, athleticism and physicality. Chicago clearly has those traits throughout its young forward group, but the backcourt is more complicated. The Bulls’ best defensive combinations may struggle offensively, while their best shooting lineups could become vulnerable at the point of attack. Pasted text
Haize breaks down how Tiago Splitter can balance those lineups, why Isaac Okoro or Dailyn Swain may need to accompany weaker defenders, how Josh Giddey can be used in cross-matches, and why Nic Claxton cannot be expected to erase every perimeter mistake.
And finally…
🌱 Does developmental grace apply to Noa Essengue too?
Chicago has made it clear that Caleb Wilson will be coached through normal rookie mistakes rather than immediately pulled after every turnover. But Noa is still only 19, essentially lost his rookie season to shoulder surgery and remains one of the rawest players on the roster. Pasted text
The real test for Chicago’s new regime is whether it can distinguish between developmental mistakes and standard-breaking mistakes—giving young players room to learn while still demanding effort, communication and professionalism. Pasted text
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
👀 Which Bulls veteran could be traded first?
💰 What would it take to move Norman Powell?
🎯 Could Buddy Hield become a deadline asset?
🧠 Is Nic Claxton part of the long-term core?
💪 Can Chicago really play “SLAP basketball”?
🔒 How Splitter can protect weaker perimeter defenders
🌱 Does Noa Essengue deserve developmental grace?
🏀 Why Windy City could be the best thing for Noa
🔥 Caleb Wilson vs. Noa Essengue developmental expectations
🐂 What this all tells us about Bryson Graham’s new Bulls philosophy
💬 Which Bulls veteran should be closest to untouchable—and who should Bryson Graham be willing to move immediately for the right return?
And…
Would you rather see Noa Essengue play 25–30 minutes with Windy City or inconsistent 8–10 minute stretches in the NBA?
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Chicago Bulls Media Day is here—and the time for hypotheticals is over.
On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the FIVE biggest questions Bryson Graham, Tiago Splitter and the Bulls must answer before training camp officially begins.
First: Why did Chicago move on from Rob Dillingham before Splitter ever coached him? The Bulls traded the 21-year-old guard before camp, and that decision could tell us a lot about how Graham evaluates inherited players, developmental upside and roster fit.
Then we get into what may be the MOST important Media Day question:
What is the actual development plan for Dailyn Swain and Noa Essengue? 👀
Both are first-round picks—but their paths should look very different. Haize breaks down why Swain needs NBA role discipline mixed with G League creation reps, while Essengue may need more sustained developmental minutes after effectively losing his rookie season.
PLUS…
🔥 Who actually holds offensive developmental priority between Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Nic Claxton?
Should Matas get the most advanced creation reps? Should Caleb’s touches be more structured? How much offense should still run through Giddey and Powell?
And then we go X’s and O’s. 🧠
Tiago Splitter has previously described a fast decision-making philosophy built around shoot, drive or pass within roughly half a second—what he’s called “organized craziness.”
Haize breaks down what that could look like with:
⚡ Josh Giddey pushing after rebounds
🔥 Matas attacking moving defenses
💥 Caleb Wilson running, cutting and screening
🎯 Buddy Hield and Norman Powell creating movement
🧠 Nic Claxton flowing through screens and handoffs
But this system could also expose players who hesitate, overthink or struggle making quick reads.
And finally…
😳 Is the Caleb Wilson hype becoming dangerous?
A recent Bulls article invoked a “1984 vibe” around Caleb’s arrival—not to compare him directly to Michael Jordan, but to describe the franchise excitement surrounding a potentially foundational rookie.
Haize breaks down why the hype is understandable, why Caleb’s confidence is part of his appeal, and why Bulls fans still need to leave room for normal rookie mistakes.
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
👀 Five Bulls Media Day questions that NEED answers
🚨 Why Chicago moved on from Rob Dillingham
🌱 The development plans for Dailyn Swain & Noa Essengue
🏀 Who should receive offensive priority?
⚔️ Development vs immediate performance
📈 How Chicago should define progress
🧠 Tiago Splitter’s “organized craziness”
⚡ The Bulls’ potential 0.5 offense
😳 Is Caleb Wilson hype going too far?
🌟 Why Chicago shouldn’t make Caleb vs. Matas a competition
💬 Which Media Day answer matters most to YOU: Dillingham, Swain/Noa development, the offensive hierarchy or how Chicago defines progress?
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Did the Chicago Bulls give up on Rob Dillingham too soon—and could Buddy Hield’s shooting actually make life significantly easier for Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson?
On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the Bulls’ reported decision to send 21-year-old Rob Dillingham to Charlotte for veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield and cash considerations. Dillingham averaged 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 30 games with Chicago, but also shot 30% from three and carried significant questions about turnovers, defense and his pathway to minutes. Pasted text
The uncomfortable part? Dillingham is still only 21, and Chicago is supposedly rebuilding. Haize examines whether Bryson Graham sold too early on a former lottery pick before Tiago Splitter ever had the chance to coach him—or correctly identified that Chicago needed movement shooting and cleaner role definition more than another ball-dominant developmental guard. Pasted text
Then we get into the fun part. 🎯
Buddy Hield is a 39.5% career three-point shooter, and his value goes far beyond standing in the corner. Haize breaks down how Hield’s movement shooting could create easier driving lanes for Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis, improve Nic Claxton’s roll opportunities, and give Josh Giddey another proven relocation target. Pasted text
PLUS…
Chicago may have solved one issue while creating another.
Who creates offense when Josh Giddey sits?
Tre Jones can organize. Norman Powell can score. Matas needs real creation reps. Dailyn Swain can eventually connect possessions. But replacing Dillingham with Hield changes the bench’s offensive hierarchy in a major way. Pasted text
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
🚨 Did Chicago give up on Rob Dillingham too soon?
🎯 Why Buddy Hield is a cleaner roster fit
👀 The risk of betting on a 33-year-old coming off a down season
🌟 How Hield could unlock Caleb Wilson
🔥 How movement shooting helps Matas Buzelis
🧠 Buddy Hield + Nic Claxton handoff actions
⚔️ Who creates offense when Josh Giddey sits?
📈 Why Matas must get real second-unit creation reps
🐂 The Dailyn Swain opportunity
📞 Bulls Central listener voicemails
💬 Did Bryson Graham sell low on Rob Dillingham—or recognize a bad fit before wasting a season trying to force it?
And…
Who should become Chicago’s late-clock creator off the bench: Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Tre Jones or someone else?
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he Chicago Bulls are reportedly trading Rob Dillingham to the Charlotte Hornets for veteran sharpshooter Buddy Hield and cash considerations, adding another proven perimeter shooter just before training camp. theScore
On this emergency episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the trade from every angle.
Why did Bryson Graham decide to move on from Dillingham now? What does Buddy Hield bring to a Bulls roster built around Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Nic Claxton? And could Hield’s movement shooting finally give Chicago the spacing weapon we’ve spent the entire offseason saying this roster needs?
Hield has shot 39.5% from three across his NBA career, although he dipped to 34.9% last season. That makes this a bet that his shooting gravity and track record can still translate into a valuable complementary role in Chicago. Basketball Reference
The financial side matters too. Hield is making roughly $9.66 million this season, while the reported trade structure allows Charlotte to create a sizable trade exception and reduce salary, with Chicago also receiving cash. Basketball Reference
And Bulls fans are already going to ask:
What does this mean for the Ayo Dosunmu trade?
Remember—the Bulls originally received Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round picks from Minnesota for Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips. Dillingham becoming Buddy Hield doesn’t erase the remaining Miller-and-picks portion of that return. NBA
🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central:
- 🚨 Bulls trade Rob Dillingham for Buddy Hield
- 🎯 Why Chicago targeted shooting
- 🧠 How Hield could fit with Josh Giddey
- 🌟 What his gravity could do for Matas and Caleb
- ⚔️ How this changes the Bulls’ bench rotation
- 👀 What moving Dillingham says about Chicago’s evaluation of him
- 💰 The financial side of the trade
- 🔄 What this REALLY means for the Ayo Dosunmu trade tree
- 🐂 Whether Buddy Hield could become a meaningful piece beyond this season
💬 Did the Bulls make the RIGHT move trading Rob Dillingham for Buddy Hield?
Drop your reaction below!
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