Chicago Bulls Central

The Chicago Bulls’ 2026-27 season is almost here — and now it’s time for the REAL expectations conversation 🐂🔥
Haize breaks down the three most likely outcomes for the Bulls this season: the high-end playoff push, the most realistic play-in bubble path, and the worst-case scenario where youth, spacing, and fit issues show up fast. With Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Nic Claxton, and Tiago Splitter all shaping the new era in Chicago, the Bulls finally have a clearer direction — but how quickly can it actually translate to wins?
Plus, Haize dives into why Matas Buzelis’ third-year leap may be the biggest swing factor on the roster. Can Matas become a true two-way starting forward? Is a Franz Wagner/Jalen Johnson-style jump realistic? And what would it mean for the Bulls if he pushes closer to a Pascal Siakam-type leap?
Also discussed:
🐂 Bulls realistic win total for 2026-27
📈 High-end, realistic, and worst-case season outcomes
🔥 Why half-court offense may define the season
👀 Matas Buzelis’ realistic Year 3 projection
🏀 Summer League expectations for Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue & Tobe Awaka
🎙️ Voicemails from Bulls Nation
Chicago has upside. Chicago has structure. Chicago has young talent. But are the Bulls ready to skip steps — or is this still a growth year?
Tune in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown. 🎙️🐂
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The Chicago Bulls may not have the biggest pile of future draft picks in the Eastern Conference… but are they one of the best-positioned teams if the young core hits? 👀🐂
Haize breaks down why Bryson Graham has quietly put the Bulls in a strong 2–3 year window with a cleaner mix of young talent, movable veterans, flexible contracts, and no major future first-round debt. The focus now shifts to development: can Matas Buzelis or Caleb Wilson become a top-two player? Can Josh Giddey prove he’s the long-term engine or high-level connector? Can Dailyn Swain develop into a starter-level wing defender?
Plus, the Bulls’ Las Vegas Summer League roster is officially set 🔥 Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue, Tobe Awaka, Jaylin Sellers and Boo Buie headline a group that could be appointment viewing. Haize also reacts to Tiago Splitter coaching part of Summer League, what it means for the rookies, and why this early development window matters.
The mailbag also hits on Norman Powell’s role, Bulls fans needing to understand tape vs highlights, why Chicago should still try to compete, Jeff Teague criticism, and the importance of structure around young players.
🔥 Topics include:
🐂 Bulls’ future asset ranking in the East
💰 Why Chicago’s flexibility matters
📈 Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain development paths
🧠 Josh Giddey’s long-term evaluation
🏀 Tiago Splitter coaching Summer League
👀 Noa Essengue’s return
🎙️ Bulls fan voicemails
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The Chicago Bulls may have just created the cleanest evaluation season Josh Giddey has ever had in Chicago 👀🐂
After adding Norman Powell, Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Nic Claxton and putting Tiago Splitter in place as head coach, the Bulls finally have a roster built around pace, length, transition pressure, defensive versatility and young frontcourt upside.
Now the question is simple: is Josh Giddey the point guard who unlocks this new Bulls era — or is he just one piece of it?
Haize breaks down why the offseason helps Giddey, why it also removes excuses, and what Bryson Graham should be watching this season. Can the jumper hold up? Can Giddey close games? Can he defend enough? Can he elevate Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Norman Powell and Nic Claxton in a real structure?
Plus, the Bulls release their Summer League schedule, with Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain and Noa Essengue expected to play — and Tiago Splitter coaching the team himself. That could be huge for Chicago’s rookie development and early chemistry 🔥
Also, Haize reacts to voicemails on Noa Essengue, Patrick Williams, Norman Powell, Zach Collins, Caleb Wilson and the Bulls’ new rebuild foundation.
🎧 Tap in with Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
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🐂🔥 The Chicago Bulls’ starting five finally has an identity… but can the bench keep it alive for 48 minutes?
On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down how Tiago Splitter can use the Bulls’ revamped bench as a true “toolbox unit” instead of a traditional second unit.
With a projected starting five of Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and Nic Claxton, Chicago has size, pace, scoring, length, and rim protection. But the bench is where things get interesting. 👀
The Bulls’ second unit features Tre Jones, Dailyn Swain, Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams, Jalen Smith, Zach Collins, Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and Noa Essengue — a group loaded with athletes, defenders, developmental upside, and lineup flexibility… but not a ton of proven half-court scoring.
So how deep should Splitter go? Who gets consistent minutes? Who gets squeezed? And should the Bulls stagger Norman Powell, Josh Giddey, or Matas Buzelis with the bench to avoid clunky offensive stretches?
Haize also reacts to Matas Buzelis’ international debut with Lithuania, where he flashed athleticism, defense, transition finishing, and an active all-around game. Plus, with Colin Sexton and Anfernee Simons off the board, what should the Bulls do with their final roster spot?
🔥 Topics include:
Tiago Splitter’s Bulls bench rotation plan 🧩
Why Chicago’s bench is a “pressure bench”
Tre Jones as the second-unit organizer
Dailyn Swain’s rookie role and closing-minute upside
Rob Dillingham as the wild-card scorer
Jalen Smith vs. Zach Collins minutes battle
Patrick Williams, Isaac Okoro, Leonard Miller, and Noa Essengue roles
How deep the Bulls should go in the rotation
Matas Buzelis shines in Lithuania debut 🇱🇹
Colin Sexton and Anfernee Simons off the board 🚨
Bulls final roster spot strategy
👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:
Who should be the Bulls’ first player off the bench this season?
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
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🚨 The Chicago Bulls’ new starting five finally has shape — and it may be the clearest identity Chicago has had in years. 🐂🔥
With Norman Powell joining the Bulls on a two-year, $45 million deal, Chicago’s projected starting lineup now looks like this:
Josh Giddey / Norman Powell / Matas Buzelis / Caleb Wilson / Nic Claxton
On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down how this starting five fits together, why Powell changes the entire offensive structure, and what this lineup means for the development of Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson.
This Bulls group has size, length, athleticism, transition pressure, rim protection, and a real veteran scorer at shooting guard. But there are still major questions:
🎯 Is the shooting good enough?
🔥 Can the Bulls create in the half court?
🧱 Will the defense hold up against elite guards?
👀 Does Caleb Wilson need more time before being a full-time spacing threat?
💰 Should Chicago use the final roster spot or keep it open?
Haize also breaks down the Bulls’ ideal offensive identity: paint pressure first, threes second, midrange selectively. This should not be a reckless three-point team or a slow isolation team. The best version of this Bulls offense is about pace, cutting, screening, quick reads, and forcing defenses into rotation.
Plus, what should the Bulls do with their final roster spot? Should they keep flexibility for a midseason trade, or add another guard/shooter like Anfernee Simons, Bruce Brown, or Gary Trent Jr.?
🔥 Topics include:
Bulls projected starting five breakdown 🐂
Josh Giddey and Norman Powell backcourt fit
How Powell helps Matas Buzelis develop
Why Nic Claxton protects Caleb Wilson’s rookie role
Bulls transition offense and half-court identity
Ideal shot balance: rim attacks, threes, and midrange
Why Chicago still needs more shooting
Final roster spot options
Anfernee Simons, Bruce Brown, and Gary Trent Jr. fits
What Tiago Splitter’s offense could look like
👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments:
Do the Bulls have a real identity now — or does this lineup still need one more shooter?
Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPod
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Phone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬

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