Locked On Bulls - Daily Podcast On The Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls may have a bigger advantage than anyone expected heading into the 2026-27 NBA season: depth. 👀🐂
On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer break down whether the Bulls’ bench could become one of the strongest parts of Tiago Splitter’s roster after Chicago’s reserves outscored Denver’s bench 75-56.
Leonard Miller scored 26 points, Buddy Hield added 15, Tre Jones returned to the rotation, and players like Noa Essengue and Jordan Hawkins continued getting developmental minutes.
The question is no longer simply whether Miller deserves a bigger role.
It is whether Chicago can consistently win the minutes when opposing stars go to the bench.
A second unit built around combinations of Tre Jones, Buddy Hield, Isaac Okoro, Leonard Miller, Jalen Smith, Zach Collins, and several young players gives Splitter a lot of options. Jones provides organization. Hield provides shooting. Okoro brings perimeter defense. Miller adds athletic downhill scoring.
Could Chicago’s depth become the reason this team wins more games than projected?
Haize and Pat also tackle the biggest concern surrounding the Bulls offense: what happens when teams force Chicago into half-court basketball?
The Bulls have looked dangerous playing fast, creating turnovers and launching threes, but the offense still has a major question when transition opportunities disappear.
Who creates a quality shot with six seconds left on the shot clock?
Is it Norman Powell, the most proven scorer on the roster? Can Matas Buzelis develop into that type of late-clock creator? Does Josh Giddey need to become more aggressive? Or is Chicago developing Caleb Wilson specifically because it hopes he can eventually become that offensive hub?
That question may determine whether this group becomes a legitimate playoff core or simply an entertaining young team.
Plus, Haize and Pat discuss why Tre Jones may be one of the most underrated players on the entire roster.
Jones scored zero points in his preseason debut, but he produced five assists with zero turnovers in just 10 minutes. On a Bulls team that committed 21 turnovers, that type of control stood out.
Chicago has plenty of players capable of scoring. What it may need even more is someone who can organize the second unit, put teammates in the right spots and settle the game when the pace becomes chaotic.
Topics Include:
- Could the Bulls bench become a major strength?
- Leonard Miller’s breakout preseason
- Buddy Hield’s impact on the second unit
- Tre Jones returning to the rotation
- Bulls bench vs. Denver’s bench
- Could Chicago outperform low win projections because of depth?
- The Bulls’ biggest half-court offensive weakness
- Who is Chicago’s best late-clock shot creator?
- Norman Powell’s importance in close games
- Matas Buzelis’ development as a creator
- Caleb Wilson’s long-term offensive ceiling
- Tre Jones’ five assists and zero turnovers
- Could Tre Jones eventually close games?
- Tiago Splitter’s rotation options
The Bulls may not have a traditional superstar bench scorer, but they may not need one. If Chicago can consistently win second-unit minutes, play fast, defend aggressively and get steady organization from Tre Jones, the depth of this roster could become one of the biggest surprises of the season.
The bigger question is what happens when the game slows down.
🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat debate whether Chicago’s bench is actually its biggest advantage, whether the half-court offense could hold the team back, and why Tre Jones may be far more important than his scoring numbers suggest.
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Caleb Wilson vs. Cameron Boozer is back, and this time the matchup could give Bulls fans an early look at two of the biggest Rookie of the Year contenders in the 2026 NBA Draft class. 👀🐂
On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer preview Chicago’s next preseason matchup and break down the growing comparison between Caleb Wilson and Cameron Boozer, the players selected No. 4 and No. 3 in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The two already gave fans a show during Summer League, when Wilson exploded for 35 points and seven made threes, while Boozer answered with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists in a one-point Memphis win. Pasted text
Now they meet again with both players carrying real Rookie of the Year expectations.
Haize and Pat debate whether Caleb has the higher long-term ceiling, whether Boozer’s polish and basketball IQ make him more NBA-ready right now, and how much Wilson’s three-point shooting could determine how quickly he closes the gap offensively.
Then the conversation shifts to Leonard Miller, who quietly produced one of the Bulls’ best performances in the preseason opener. Miller scored 14 points in 14 minutes on 5-for-7 shooting, while also adding two assists and two steals. Tiago Splitter even experimented with him at small-ball center. Pasted text
That creates a difficult rotation question: why shouldn’t Miller be ahead of Patrick Williams if he continues playing with more aggression and efficiency?
The guys discuss whether small-ball center could become Miller’s cleanest path to consistent minutes, how well he fits with Josh Giddey in transition, and whether Chicago may have another young player capable of becoming a legitimate rotation piece.
Plus, Haize and Pat ask whether Norman Powell might actually be the Bulls’ best offensive player right now.
Powell scored 14 points in just over 14 minutes, shooting 3-for-4 from the field, 3-for-4 from three and 5-for-6 from the line in his preseason debut. Pasted text
That performance highlights exactly why Chicago added him. Powell gives the Bulls proven shot-making and perimeter gravity that can create more room for Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Josh Giddey.
But if Powell is Chicago’s most reliable scorer, should he actually lead the team in scoring? And if he averages around 22 points efficiently while the Bulls remain in the Play-In race, should Bryson Graham still consider trading him?
Topics Include:
- Caleb Wilson vs Cameron Boozer Round 2
- Early Rookie of the Year debate
- Caleb Wilson vs Cameron Boozer long-term ceiling
- Caleb’s shooting development
- Leonard Miller’s breakout preseason performance
- Leonard Miller vs Patrick Williams rotation debate
- Miller as a small-ball center
- Norman Powell’s huge preseason debut
- Is Powell the Bulls’ best pure scorer?
- Powell’s impact on Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson
- Should Chicago keep Powell if the Bulls are competitive?
- Bulls preseason rotation questions
🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down Caleb Wilson vs Cameron Boozer, Leonard Miller’s push for more minutes, and whether Norman Powell should become Chicago’s No. 1 offensive option.
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The Chicago Bulls got their first preseason win, but the biggest stories may have come from two young players almost nobody expected to steal the show. 👀🐂
On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer break down Tobe Awaka’s breakout preseason performance, after the undrafted rookie put up 14 points, 11 rebounds, six offensive boards, one steal and one block in just 21 minutes. Awaka even led Chicago in rebounding despite playing fewer minutes than several of the Bulls’ bigger-name young players.
That raises a real rotation question: did Awaka just force Tiago Splitter to take him seriously?
His rebounding and physicality already look like NBA-level skills, but six fouls in roughly 21 minutes also showed the challenge ahead. Can Awaka clean up the foul trouble enough to become a real rotation center, even after Nic Claxton and Zach Collins return?
Haize and Pat also dive into Dailyn Swain’s most encouraging performance yet. Swain finished with 10 points, six assists, two steals and perfect 3-for-3 shooting, while also going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
The bigger story may be the six assists.
Could Chicago be developing Swain as more than a traditional wing? His size, defensive versatility and passing could open the door for a role as a 6-foot-7 secondary ball-handler, especially if he can organize offense without needing to become an elite shooter immediately.
Plus, the guys take a deeper look at Tiago Splitter’s defense after Chicago forced 26 Phoenix turnovers, recorded 13 steals and five blocks, yet still surrendered 117 points and 40 in the first quarter.
Is Splitter’s aggressive defensive philosophy already working, or are the Bulls simply creating chaos without consistently preventing good shots?
And there is another concern worth watching: Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson combined to go 0-for-10 from three, even though the rest of Chicago’s roster shot 12-for-23 from deep.
Topics Include:
- Tobe Awaka’s 14-point, 11-rebound breakout
- Could Awaka earn real Bulls rotation minutes?
- Awaka vs. Noa Essengue as developmental bigs
- Dailyn Swain’s six-assist performance
- Could Swain become a big secondary point guard?
- Tiago Splitter’s aggressive defensive system
- Bulls forcing 26 turnovers
- Why Chicago still gave up 117 points
- Nic Claxton’s importance to the defense
- Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson’s shooting struggles
- What Bulls fans should watch next in preseason
The Bulls won the game, but the most important takeaways were bigger than the score. Awaka may have discovered a real NBA role, Swain may have shown a new dimension to his game, and Tiago’s system already looks capable of creating both excitement and chaos.
🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down Tobe Awaka’s surprise breakout, Dailyn Swain’s development, and what Chicago’s first preseason game revealed about Tiago Splitter’s new-look Bulls.
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Chicago Bulls preseason basketball is finally here, and Tiago Splitter has already made it clear what he wants to see from Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson: stop reacting and start dictating games. 👀🐂
On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer preview Chicago’s first preseason action and break down Splitter’s challenge to the Bulls’ two young forwards.
Tiago is not judging Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson simply by how many points they score. He wants physicality, aggressive closeout attacks, rebounding, communication, one-on-one defense, and a mindset that forces opponents to react to them.
That creates a bigger question heading into preseason: are Matas and Caleb ready to become players who dictate NBA games instead of just flashing talent?
The guys discuss what aggression should actually look like for both players, how much freedom Caleb should get to play through mistakes, and whether Matas needs to become a more forceful offensive presence this season. They also look at how Chicago’s pressure defense and transition attack could benefit from both forwards rebounding and immediately pushing the pace.
Haize and Pat then dive into one of the most interesting developments created by Chicago’s frontcourt injuries: Noa Essengue potentially getting minutes at center.
With Nic Claxton sidelined and Zach Collins still working his way back, the Bulls could experiment with smaller lineups featuring Essengue or Caleb Wilson at the five. Could Noa’s mobility, length, transition ability, and switchability eventually make small-ball center his cleanest pathway to NBA minutes?
Or would asking him to learn another position this early complicate his development?
Plus, the guys react to CBS Sports ranking Tiago Splitter 21st among NBA head coaches entering the season.
Splitter has received plenty of praise from Bulls fans for his defensive philosophy, player development approach, pace, and the physical culture he is trying to build. But the national view remains more cautious.
Is No. 21 fair? And what would Tiago have to accomplish in Year 1 with Chicago to prove he belongs among the NBA’s top 15 coaches?
Topics Include:
- Tiago Splitter challenging Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson
- What it means to “dictate” an NBA game
- Caleb Wilson playing through rookie mistakes
- Matas Buzelis becoming a more aggressive scorer
- Bulls pressure defense and transition identity
- Noa Essengue getting small-ball center minutes
- Could Noa’s long-term role actually be at the five?
- Frontcourt opportunities with Nic Claxton out
- Bulls preseason opener expectations
- CBS Sports ranking Tiago Splitter No. 21
- Is Tiago Splitter being overrated or underrated?
- What success should look like for Tiago in Year 1
Training camp talk is over. Now Bulls fans finally get to see whether the physicality, defensive aggression, development, and new identity Tiago Splitter has preached actually show up against another NBA team.
🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down Tiago’s challenge to Matas and Caleb, the Noa Essengue-at-center experiment, and whether Chicago’s new head coach deserves more respect than his No. 21 national ranking.
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The Chicago Bulls haven’t even played a preseason game yet, and Tiago Splitter’s plan is already being tested. 👀🐂
On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer react to the news that Nic Claxton tweaked his hamstring and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, effectively ruling him out for the preseason and putting his status for opening night into question.
That matters because Claxton was supposed to be the backbone of Tiago Splitter’s new defensive system. Chicago has spent training camp talking about pressuring higher, blowing up screens, switching aggressively, and trusting Claxton to clean up mistakes behind the play.
Now the Bulls have to prove that identity can survive without him.
Haize and Pat discuss whether Jalen Smith should step directly into the starting center role, whether Tobe Awaka could earn a bigger preseason opportunity, and whether Claxton’s injury proves exactly why Chicago should avoid trading Smith right now.
The guys also break down the Bulls signing Jordan Hawkins to their third and final two-way contract. Hawkins, the No. 14 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, is still only 24 years old and gives Chicago another low-risk swing on shooting and upside.
Could Bryson Graham have found a former lottery talent for almost nothing? Hawkins’ career has not matched expectations yet, but his movement shooting and ability to play off creators like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Caleb Wilson make him a very interesting fit.
And the Bulls kept their 15th standard roster spot open in the process.
Plus, Tiago Splitter reportedly said an eight-man rotation would be basically impossible if Chicago wants to play at the pace he envisions, suggesting the Bulls could use nine to 11 players regularly.
That sounds simple until you actually try to name the 11.
Topics Include:
- Nic Claxton’s hamstring injury
- Claxton out for the preseason
- Bulls defensive identity without Claxton
- Jalen Smith’s opportunity at starting center
- Does this kill Jalen Smith trade talks?
- Tobe Awaka’s chance to earn minutes
- Bulls sign Jordan Hawkins to final two-way contract
- Did Bryson Graham find a former lottery steal?
- Jordan Hawkins vs. Jaylin Sellers long-term
- Bulls keep the 15th roster spot open
- Tiago Splitter wants a 9-to-11-man rotation
- Who gets squeezed out of the Bulls rotation?
- Patrick Williams, Zach Collins, Noa Essengue, Dailyn Swain and Leonard Miller rotation battles
The Bulls entered camp with depth, flexibility, and a clear defensive vision. Now an early injury, a new developmental addition, and Tiago’s rotation philosophy are forcing Chicago to test all three before the season even begins.
🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down Nic Claxton’s injury, the Jordan Hawkins signing, and who makes Tiago Splitter’s 11-man rotation.
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FanDuel
This season, FanDuel is making the excitement go beyond what happens on the field with the all-new FanDuel Rewards Club, featuring exclusive offers, surprises, and more. Every week, check the FanDuel app to see what’s waiting for you or visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

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