Locked On Bulls - Daily Podcast On The Chicago Bulls

Did the Chicago Bulls quietly win the Ayo Dosunmu trade? And is national media seriously underrating Josh Giddey?
On today’s episode of **Locked On Bulls**, Haize and Pat The Designer revisit one of the most important moves of the Bryson Graham era: **Chicago’s trade of Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips to Minnesota**.
The Bulls received **Leonard Miller, Rob Dillingham and four second-round picks**, then later turned Dillingham into **Buddy Hield**. Meanwhile, Miller has emerged as one of Chicago’s most intriguing young players. Pasted text
Ayo remains a proven NBA contributor and signed a reported **five-year, $112 million extension** with Minnesota, but Chicago has now turned one outgoing player into several pieces of its rebuild. Pasted text
So Haize and Pat ask the real question: **if Minnesota offered Ayo back today for Leonard Miller, Buddy Hield and the remaining assets, would the Bulls even say yes?**
The guys also dive into **The Ringer’s criticism of Josh Giddey** after ranking him No. 83 in its latest NBA Top 100. The concern is not his raw production. Giddey averaged **17 points, 9.1 assists and 8.3 rebounds** last season. The concern is whether those numbers translate into winning impact.
The Ringer highlighted Giddey’s struggles finishing drives, his pull-up shooting efficiency and his turnover rate, while questioning whether he can become a true high-level offensive engine. Pasted text
That creates a great Bulls debate: **is Giddey a future All-Star, or a high-level complementary player who happens to put up All-Star-looking numbers?**
Haize and Pat break down whether Giddey makes **Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Leonard Miller and Norman Powell** better enough to outweigh his scoring limitations, and whether Chicago eventually needs to add a true top-30 NBA player to raise the ceiling of the rebuild.
Plus, the guys discuss **Jalen Smith’s growing value heading into a contract year**.
Smith scored **15 points, grabbed seven rebounds and hit three threes against Milwaukee**, continuing to show why his floor spacing gives Chicago something very different from Nic Claxton. Pasted text
That raises a difficult front-office question. If Smith continues shooting near 40% from three, should the Bulls commit long-term money to him? Or could his rising value make him one of Bryson Graham’s best trade assets before the deadline?
## Topics Include:
- Did the Bulls win the Ayo Dosunmu trade?
- Leonard Miller’s emergence
- Turning Rob Dillingham into Buddy Hield
- Would Chicago reverse the Ayo trade today?
- The Ringer ranking Josh Giddey No. 83
- Is Giddey’s production translating to winning?
- Giddey’s finishing and pull-up shooting concerns
- Future All-Star or elite complementary player?
- Jalen Smith’s contract-year breakout
- Jalen Smith vs Nic Claxton
- Should Chicago extend or trade Smith?
- Bulls roster-building under Bryson Graham
The Bulls are reaching the point where the rebuild is no longer just about collecting young talent. **Now Chicago has to decide which players truly raise the ceiling, which trades aged well, and which contracts are worth paying.**
🎙️ **Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat debate the Ayo Dosunmu trade, Josh Giddey’s national-media criticism and what the Bulls should do with Jalen Smith before his value gets even more expensive.**
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The Chicago Bulls’ preseason just created a fascinating new rotation debate: did undrafted rookie Jaylin Sellers already move ahead of first-round pick Dailyn Swain? 👀🐂
On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer react to Sellers making his preseason debut and immediately receiving meaningful first-quarter minutes from Tiago Splitter. Sellers responded with 10 points on 4-for-6 shooting, two made threes and two steals in just under 15 minutes, while Swain played a little over 10 minutes and did not enter until much later in the game. Pasted text
That raises a bigger question about the new Bulls regime: does draft position matter at all once the competition starts?
Chicago invested the No. 15 pick in Swain because of his size, versatility and long-term two-way upside. Sellers went undrafted. But if Sellers is already better equipped to shoot, move without the ball and contribute alongside established creators, should Splitter simply reward the player who helps the team more right now?
Haize and Pat also dive into Chicago’s explosive offensive performance against Milwaukee.
The Bulls scored 125 points, made 20 threes, recorded 35 assists and generated 41 points off Milwaukee turnovers. Josh Giddey finished with nine assists, Tre Jones added seven, and Matas Buzelis scored 19 points while knocking down five threes. Pasted text
That sounds fantastic.
But Chicago also committed 21 turnovers.
So is Tiago Splitter building the fast, unselfish and entertaining offense Bulls fans have wanted for years, or is the pace creating a team that could eventually beat itself against better defenses?
The guys discuss whether 50 three-point attempts are sustainable, how much Chicago’s offense depends on forcing turnovers, and whether Matas Buzelis could become the player who makes the system work even when transition opportunities disappear.
Plus, Haize and Pat ask a question that would have sounded ridiculous a few years ago:
Are the Bulls actually in a better position than the Milwaukee Bucks?
Chicago beat Milwaukee by 21 in preseason, though the Bucks rested many of their key players. More importantly, Milwaukee is now navigating a post-Giannis era while Chicago is trying to build around Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Leonard Miller, Dailyn Swain and Noa Essengue. Pasted text
Who has the stronger young core? Who is better positioned to win now? And would finishing ahead of Milwaukee actually make this Bulls season a success?
The Bulls are beginning to reveal something important: competition may matter more than reputation under Tiago Splitter. Sellers is pushing for minutes, the offense is moving at a completely different pace, and Chicago may be closer to the middle of the Eastern Conference than many expected.
🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat debate Jaylin Sellers vs. Dailyn Swain, break down Tiago Splitter’s high-powered but risky offense, and ask whether Chicago has actually moved ahead of Milwaukee.
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The Chicago Bulls are one week away from opening night, and three major questions are starting to take shape around the future of this roster. 👀🐂
On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer start with the biggest long-term debate surrounding Chicago’s young core: who eventually becomes the Bulls’ No. 1 player, Caleb Wilson or Matas Buzelis?
Both forwards have the size, athleticism and two-way upside to become foundational pieces, but they may develop into very different types of stars.
Does Caleb Wilson’s explosiveness, physical tools and growing creation ability give him the higher ceiling? Or is Matas Buzelis’ combination of shooting, size, confidence and three years of NBA development more likely to make him Chicago’s primary option?
The guys debate what Tiago Splitter should prioritize when developing both players and whether the Bulls even need to choose one as the clear No. 1 yet.
Then the conversation turns to an immediate concern: Nic Claxton may not be ready for opening night.
Claxton remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to be reevaluated shortly before Chicago’s October 21 opener in Toronto. That leaves very little time to return to practice, rebuild conditioning and be fully prepared for regular-season basketball.
That matters because so much of Tiago Splitter’s defensive system was designed around Claxton’s ability to protect the rim, switch onto guards and cover for Chicago’s aggressive perimeter defense.
If Claxton cannot go, should Jalen Smith start at center? Does Zach Collins become the answer if healthy? Or should Chicago experiment with Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis and Leonard Miller in smaller frontcourt combinations?
Haize and Pat also ask whether the injury situation proves the Bulls should stop entertaining Jalen Smith trade conversations and keep as much center depth as possible.
Plus, the guys dive into one of Chicago’s most interesting developmental swings: Jordan Hawkins.
The former No. 14 overall pick made his Bulls preseason debut and immediately caught the attention of his former UConn coach Dan Hurley, who publicly celebrated Hawkins’ new opportunity with a simple message: “Free Hawk.”
Could Bryson Graham have found another undervalued young player?
Hawkins entered the NBA with a reputation as an elite movement shooter, but his first few seasons did not match lottery expectations. Now Chicago gets a chance to develop him on a two-way contract with almost no financial risk.
The guys debate whether Hawkins fits Tiago Splitter’s offense better than his previous situations, whether he can eventually push for real rotation minutes, and how his development could impact veterans like Buddy Hield and Norman Powell.

The Bulls have spent the offseason talking about development, versatility and depth. Now those ideas are being tested before the regular season even begins.
🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat debate Caleb Wilson vs. Matas Buzelis, break down growing concerns around Nic Claxton’s availability, and discuss whether Jordan Hawkins could become Bryson Graham’s latest low-risk development win.
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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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