Chicago Bulls Central

Leonard Miller isn’t just fighting for rotation minutes anymore. Now the Chicago Bulls need to find out how much OFFENSE he can actually handle.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down Miller’s huge performance against Denver, Josh Giddey’s extremely low shot volume and a new contract situation involving Orlando Magic guard Anthony Black that could eventually become relevant to Chicago.
Leonard Miller erupted for 26 points, seven rebounds and two assists in only 22 minutes, shooting 11-for-14 from the field and 4-for-6 from three in Chicago’s 133-128 loss to Denver. He has now scored 52 points through three preseason games, an average of 17.3 per game. Pasted text
The bigger question is no longer whether Miller has earned more minutes.
It’s whether Chicago should deliberately give him more offensive responsibility.
Can he attack closeouts?
Can he make short-roll decisions?
Can he create a useful possession when the ball is intentionally put in his hands?
Can his jumper hold up when defenses actually start respecting it?
Then we turn to Josh Giddey, who finished against Denver with seven points, eight assists and only one turnover, but attempted just three field goals in 24 minutes. He also went 4-for-4 from the line. Pasted text
Eight assists is good basketball.
But if Giddey becomes too predictable as a passer, defenses can stay attached to Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Norman Powell and Chicago’s other scorers.
The goal isn’t forcing Josh to chase a shot total.
It’s making sure the defense believes he WILL punish the openings it gives him.
And finally, we discuss Anthony Black.
Recent reporting indicates Black and Orlando have not had meaningful extension talks, with an agreement before the October 19 deadline considered unlikely. That could put the 22-year-old guard on a path toward restricted free agency in 2027 if nothing changes. Chicago’s involvement is NOT reported. This is a Bulls roster-building discussion about whether Black belongs on Bryson Graham’s future scouting list. Pasted text
Black averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 64 games last season, giving Chicago plenty to evaluate if his availability ever becomes real. Pasted text
🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:
😳 Leonard Miller’s 26-point explosion
🔥 Miller’s 52 points through three preseason games
🎯 His 4-for-6 night from three
🧠 What greater offensive responsibility should actually look like
👀 Miller beside Giddey, Caleb, Matas, Powell and Hield
📈 How Miller could affect future Bulls roster building
🤔 Josh Giddey taking only three shots
🎯 Why scoring pressure can make Giddey’s passing even better
🌟 How an aggressive Giddey could help Caleb and Matas
👀 Anthony Black’s contract situation in Orlando
🧩 Whether Black fits beside Giddey
💰 Restricted free agency complications
🔭 What Chicago should monitor throughout the season
💬 Which development matters most: giving Miller more offensive responsibility, getting Giddey to attack more, or putting Anthony Black on Chicago’s future target list?
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The Chicago Bulls suddenly have a different development problem: there are more young players worth evaluating than there are meaningful minutes to go around.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what Tiago Splitter’s preseason rotations may be telling us about Dailyn Swain, Leonard Miller, Noa Essengue, Patrick Williams, Tobe Awaka, Jordan Hawkins and Jaylin Sellers.
Against Memphis, Buddy Hield and Leonard Miller were Chicago’s first substitutes, while Patrick Williams entered 11th despite several rotation players being unavailable. Dailyn Swain has also handled reserve playmaking duties with Tre Jones and Jaylin Sellers sidelined. These choices give us clues about how Splitter is distributing opportunities, but they are not yet proof of Chicago’s final regular-season rotation. Pasted text
That raises a bigger question:
Should development minutes look the same for everybody?
Caleb Wilson needs reps carrying responsibility.
Matas Buzelis needs opportunities to create, defend difficult assignments and play through mistakes.
Swain needs decisions with and without the ball.
Miller needs to prove his production fits a repeatable NBA role.
Essengue may need consistent reps more than occasional short appearances.
Patrick Williams needs to establish one dependable contribution Chicago can trust every night. Pasted text
Then we turn to the Bulls offense.
Chicago added shooting with Norman Powell, Buddy Hield and Jordan Hawkins, but movement alone does not create good shots. Screening angle, timing and contact matter. A useful screen should force the defense to change direction, switch, help or create space somewhere else on the floor. Pasted text
We break down how better screening could help:
🔥 Powell get cleaner catches
🌟 Caleb create value without dominating the ball
🧠 Josh Giddey turn the corner
🎯 Buddy Hield punish help defenders
📈 Miller, P-Will and Noa earn minutes without needing shots
And finally:
Could Isaac Okoro be more valuable to this Bulls roster than adding another scorer?
If Okoro can contain the first action, Chicago may not need to send as much emergency help. That could make life easier for Matas, Caleb and the Bulls’ centers while giving Splitter more defensive matchup options. Pasted text
🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:
👀 What Splitter’s rotations are telling us
🧠 Different development plans for different young Bulls
📈 Leonard Miller’s path to a real role
🔥 Dailyn Swain’s expanded responsibilities
🤔 Where Patrick Williams fits
🏙️ Whether Noa Essengue needs Windy City reps
🎯 Why adding shooters isn’t enough
💪 The Bulls’ screening problem
🧩 Caleb screening for Norman Powell
🎯 Hield’s weak-side gravity with Giddey
🔒 Isaac Okoro’s potential defensive value
👀 How Okoro could help Matas and Caleb
📞 Bulls Nation voicemails
💬 Which young Bull needs guaranteed opportunities the most, and who needs a clearly defined role instead?
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The Chicago Bulls lost to Memphis, but the bigger story may be what we learned about Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Leonard Miller.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the latest Matas injury update, Caleb Wilson receiving a real late-game opportunity and why Leonard Miller is becoming increasingly difficult for Tiago Splitter to leave out of the rotation conversation.
Matas Buzelis left the Memphis game after an awkward landing caused a right ankle issue. Matas later sounded optimistic and said the Bulls were simply being smart with it, while Tiago Splitter was less definitive about his availability. Chicago should prioritize useful preparation over forcing preseason minutes simply because several rotation players are already unavailable. Pasted text
That matters because the Bulls were already without Nic Claxton, Jalen Smith, Zach Collins and Tre Jones, limiting the combinations Chicago has been able to evaluate. The biggest connections still needing reps include Josh Giddey with Claxton, Matas with Caleb and the second-unit ballhandlers with Chicago’s finishers. Pasted text
Then we get into Caleb Wilson’s biggest preseason moment yet.
After scoring only one point in the first half, Caleb exploded to finish with 21 points and five made threes. He hit a late three to pull Chicago within two before missing a contested step-back three that could have given the Bulls the lead. He also finished just 2-for-6 from the free-throw line. Pasted text
I still LOVE giving him that possession.
Why?
Because development means giving young players meaningful decisions under pressure and then coaching the result. The make or miss is only part of the evaluation.
And finally, Leonard Miller is making this rotation conversation impossible to ignore.
Miller followed his 14-point preseason opener with 12 points and 11 rebounds against Memphis. Now Chicago has to figure out whether Miller is simply filling frontcourt vacancies or showing skills that deserve a permanent place when the roster gets healthy. Pasted text
🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:
👀 Matas Buzelis ankle update
🏥 Why Chicago shouldn’t chase lost preseason minutes
🧠 The Bulls lineup connections that still need reps
😳 Caleb Wilson gets a real late-game closing possession
🔥 Caleb’s 21-point response after a quiet first half
🎯 Why the missed game-winner is still a valuable rep
🚨 Caleb’s 2-for-6 free-throw shooting
📈 Leonard Miller’s 12-point, 11-rebound follow-up
💪 Should Miller be the backup power forward?
🧩 Could Miller play situational center minutes?
👀 Miller pairings with Claxton, Jalen Smith and Tobe Awaka
🗣️ Your Bulls voicemails and reactions
💬 Would you keep giving Caleb Wilson late-game possessions even if some of them get messy? And where should Leonard Miller’s rotation audition start?
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Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer could be headed for another matchup after their Summer League showdown, but this time the biggest story isn’t simply who scores more.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what Bulls fans should really watch if Wilson and Boozer share the floor again.
Their Summer League matchup produced fireworks, with Caleb scoring 35 points to Boozer’s 23. Now both rookies have their first preseason performances to build from.
Caleb opened with 15 points, three rebounds and two assists, shooting 6-for-15 while going 0-for-4 from three and committing five fouls.
Boozer enters after recording 16 points, six rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes, shooting 4-for-7 and knocking down two threes.
But this matchup should be judged by more than the final scoring totals.
Can Caleb create easier opportunities?
Can he handle physicality without unnecessary fouls?
Can he recognize the second read when his drive gets taken away?
Can he impact the game when the ball isn’t coming his way?
Then we get into Norman Powell’s hidden value.
Powell scored 14 points on only four field-goal attempts in Chicago’s opener, including three made threes and five free throws.
That shooting threat can do much more than produce points.
We break down how Splitter could use Powell as a screener for Matas Buzelis, turn aggressive denial into backdoor opportunities and create cleaner driving lanes for Matas, Caleb and Josh Giddey without taking the ball out of their hands.
And finally, it’s time for the Game 2 Development Checklist.
🔥 Five Bulls. Five clear priorities:
🌟 Matas Buzelis: Stay aggressive and make the correct read
💪 Tobe Awaka: Keep the motor, clean up the fouls
🧠 Dailyn Swain: Reach his decisions faster
📈 Leonard Miller: Prove Game 1 production can repeat
🎯 Josh Giddey: Make the defense respect his scoring earlier
This preseason is not about demanding polished basketball.
It’s about identifying whether mistakes turn into progress.
💬 Whose next step are YOU watching closest tonight: Caleb, Matas, Swain, Awaka, Miller or Giddey?
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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?
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