Chicago Bulls Central

A former first-round pick just hit waivers, and the Chicago Bulls have an open roster spot. Should Bryson Graham take the swing?

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down whether Chicago should investigate Walter Clayton Jr., why Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson’s biggest opening-night test may come on defense, and the three things the Bulls must prove during the first week of the regular season.

Memphis waived Clayton on October 19 while trimming its roster. He was selected 18th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, and there is currently no verified Bulls pursuit. The conv...

The Chicago Bulls now have TWO different roster opportunities to monitor, and they solve completely different problems.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the Bulls’ reported links to Dalton Knecht and Moussa Cissé, Josh Giddey’s developing lob game with Chicago’s athletic young core, and what Bryson Graham should do if this Bulls team starts winning faster than expected.

The Lakers have reportedly communicated with Chicago while trying to move Dalton Knecht, while separate reporting connects the Bulls to Moussa Cissé if Dallas waives him. The Knecht situation establishes contact. The Cissé situ...

Tiago Splitter wants Caleb Wilson to become special. That doesn’t mean every possession should become the Caleb Wilson show.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down Splitter’s approach to developing Caleb, whether the Bulls truly need an isolation scorer to take the next step, and why Chicago’s full-court pressure could become a legitimate weapon with this roster’s length and athleticism.

Following the preseason finale, Splitter praised Caleb’s willingness to learn and request extra film work while also making one thing clear:

“It’s not the Caleb Show every night...

The preseason is OVER, and now Tiago Splitter has some real decisions to make.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down which Bulls actually earned meaningful regular-season opportunities, who still has work to do, and how this preseason may have changed Chicago’s rotation entering opening night.

The Bulls finished preseason 3-2, closing with a 133-116 win over Minnesota. The finale featured 34 assists, 76 points in the paint and 17 offensive rebounds, giving Chicago several different ways to manufacture offense beyond isolation scoring. Pasted text

The biggest winner?

🔥 Leonard Miller.

Acros...

Join Haize LIVE on Chicago Bulls Central for the full postgame reaction after the Bulls’ preseason finale against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the United Center.

Chicago controlled the game early, scored 33 points in the first quarter, followed with 34 in the second, and entered the fourth with a double-digit advantage. By the final minutes, the Bulls had pushed the lead close to 20 as Tiago Splitter’s young roster delivered another encouraging performance.

The biggest takeaway?

Chicago’s young core continues to look increasingly comfortable in Splitter’s system.

🔥 Tonight’s biggest postgame storylines:<...

NBA executives are buying into Caleb Wilson’s long-term ceiling, and that should change how the Chicago Bulls think about his development.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what the latest NBA GM survey says about Caleb Wilson, why Chicago’s emphasis on offensive rebounding could become an underrated part of Tiago Splitter’s offense, and whether Leonard Miller’s preseason rise should change how Bulls fans evaluate the Ayo Dosunmu trade.

In the GM survey, Caleb Wilson tied AJ Dybantsa for first among rookies executives believe could become the best player in the cla...

Matas Buzelis may have just shown the Chicago Bulls what an efficient breakout version of his offense can look like.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down Matas’ huge night against Milwaukee, why Norman Powell’s foul-drawing could become one of the most valuable tools on this roster, and what another strong showing from Leonard Miller, Noa Essengue and Jaylin Sellers means for Chicago’s rotation.

Matas finished with 19 points in just under 24 minutes, shooting 6-for-9 from the field and 5-for-7 from three, while adding three assists with zero turnovers. He also knocked down all...

The Chicago Bulls have three developmental questions to answer, and each one could shape how Tiago Splitter manages this young roster.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why Tre Jones may be more valuable to the rebuild than his own box score suggests, how Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson can attack Milwaukee’s size, and why Jordan Hawkins has earned a legitimate audition for a bigger role.

Caleb Wilson said of Tre Jones, “I trust him with the ball,” while Tiago Splitter emphasized Jones’ speed with the second unit. Jones returned against Denver and...

Caleb Wilson’s 17 points against Denver may not have been the most important part of his performance.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why Wilson’s ability to adjust when his three-point shot wasn’t falling could tell us much more about his offensive development.

Caleb finished with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including just 1-of-4 from three, but he went 5-of-6 inside the arc while also recording five assists. Instead of allowing an inconsistent jumper to eliminate him from the offense, Wilson found production through drives, midrange opportunities and other ways to pressure...

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:

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 Seller...

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 le...

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 f...

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 b...

THE CHICAGO BULLS START THE TIAGO SPLITTER ERA WITH A WIN!

The Chicago Bulls defeated the Phoenix Suns 111-108 in their first game of the 2026 NBA preseason, and there is plenty to discuss!

Join Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for a full postgame breakdown of Chicago's first preseason victory, including the performances of Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, and the rest of the new-look Bulls roster.

Chicago faced an early 40-29 deficit but responded with a strong second and third quarter...

Tiago Splitter wants Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson doing more than simply finishing plays. He wants them helping dictate the Chicago Bulls offense.

That means this preseason becomes about more than points.

Splitter specifically challenged Chicago’s young forwards to become more aggressive in controlling possessions instead of waiting for opportunities to arrive. That means creating advantages, forcing defensive reactions and making the right decision once help comes.  Pasted text

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down how that should look for both players.

🔥 Can Matas attack before the defense g...

Tiago Splitter wants to use a deep Chicago Bulls rotation, Nic Claxton is out for the preseason, and Patrick Williams is once again entering a season with something to prove.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three questions that could shape Chicago’s preseason.

First, Splitter has indicated that he expects to use roughly nine to 11 players, believing the pace he wants Chicago to play makes an eight-man rotation unrealistic. That sounds good in theory, but 240 total player-minutes still have to be divided with purpose. If five starters average 30 minutes, that leaves only...

Jordan Hawkins is suddenly available, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson are being asked to grow together as Chicago’s new forward pairing, and the NBA’s changing lottery rules are forcing Bulls fans to rethink what rebuilding should actually look like.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three major questions facing the Bulls.

First, Jordan Hawkins.

Memphis waived Hawkins shortly after acquiring him from New Orleans. Once he clears waivers, Chicago could potentially pursue him without surrendering trade assets. But there’s a major question: does Hawkins actually fill a need any...

The Chicago Bulls may have more young rotation depth than fans realize. Dailyn Swain, Jaylin Sellers and Noa Essengue are all fighting for NBA minutes, but each one has a very different pathway into Tiago Splitter’s rotation.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what each young Bull must prove to force his way onto the floor.

First, Dailyn Swain.

Summer League could hardly have gone worse statistically. Swain shot 4-for-31 from the field and 0-for-7 from three, while struggling with significant point-guard responsibilities. But training camp has reportedly looked comp...

Is Caleb Wilson really the Chicago Bulls’ best incoming prospect since Michael Jordan? And can Buddy Hield reverse his recent decline and become a dependable scorer again in Chicago?

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize dives into two major Bulls debates before closing with listener voicemails.

First, it’s FACTS OR CAP on Caleb Wilson.

Sam Smith recently said Wilson is as good an incoming prospect as he has initially seen while making it clear he was not calling Caleb the next Michael Jordan.

That creates a much more interesting debate...

Could Karl-Anthony Towns eventually become a realistic Chicago Bulls target? Could Nic Claxton actually start possessions guarding point guards? And can Tiago Splitter build an aggressive defense without Chicago constantly putting opponents on the free-throw line?

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three major questions surrounding the Bulls’ future and the defensive identity beginning to take shape under Tiago Splitter.

First, Karl-Anthony Towns.

Jake Fischer’s reporting has New York and Towns apart on extension value, while Towns holds a roughly $61 million player option for 2027–28. The important distinction: there is currentl...

Could Jalen Duren’s contract situation eventually change how the Chicago Bulls view their long-term center position? Could Patrick Williams find new value as a small-ball five? And which Bulls have actually earned long-term extensions?

On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three roster-building questions that could shape Bryson Graham’s next phase of the rebuild.

First, Jalen Duren.

Detroit’s contract standoff has created an interesting future possibility, but this is NOT a report that Chicago is pursuing Duren. The Bulls angle is simple: if Duren eventually reaches the mark...

Chicago Bulls training camp is only getting started, and Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Isaac Okoro and Noa Essengue are already giving Bulls fans plenty to talk about.

On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the biggest takeaways from the latest Bulls practice availability—and the early signs that Tiago Splitter’s vision for this roster is beginning to take shape.

First, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson.

Matas says Caleb already feels like his “brother” and “twin,” but don’t mistake that chemistry for a lack of compet...

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 dir...

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 t...

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 Medi...

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...

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 enti...

What should Chicago Bulls fans expect from Nic Claxton this season—and who is actually going to survive a loaded training-camp battle?

On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize continues the 2026–27 player preview series with a deep dive into Nic Claxton’s first full season in Chicago and why his impact could go far beyond points per game.

Claxton averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 blocks last season, while the episode projection has him around 12.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.7 blocks in a larger Bulls role.

Haize breaks down how Claxton can become a more e...

Caleb Wilson has already said he wants to become an All-Defensive First Team player—but how aggressively should the Chicago Bulls test him during his rookie season? And could Norman Powell become one of the keys to unlocking Matas Buzelis as a creator?

On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize dives into three major Bulls development questions heading toward training camp.

First, we break down Caleb Wilson’s defensive ceiling. At North Carolina, Wilson averaged 9.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks, giving Chicago a real foundation to work with defensively. But NBA defense is a differ...

Are the Chicago Bulls further along in their rebuild than people realize? And did Bryson Graham miss some affordable opportunities to improve the roster this offseason?

On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down THREE major questions surrounding the Bulls heading into the 2026–27 season.

First, FOUR Chicago Bulls made ESPN’s Top 100 player rankings:

🔥 Josh Giddey — #80

🎯 Norman Powell — #86

🌟 Matas Buzelis — #88

👀 Caleb Wilson — #97

Matas was unranked entering last season, while Caleb makes the list before even playing an NBA regular-season game. But rankings alone don’t prove Chicago’...

Norman Powell has his sights set on All-NBA—but what would it actually take for him to get there with the Chicago Bulls? And if Jalen Duren becomes available, should Chicago make him its next major investment?

On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize dives into three major Bulls storylines heading toward the 2026–27 season.

First, we break down Norman Powell’s All-NBA goal. Powell averaged 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season while shooting 38% from three, and he made his first All-Star team. But making All-NBA is a much tougher challenge, especially with only 15 spots av...

Is Matas Buzelis really playing his way toward a $155 million extension? Could Caleb Wilson realistically enter the Team USA conversation by 2028? And is Jalen Smith about to become one of the most important supporting players on the Chicago Bulls?

It’s time for another FACTS OR CAP edition of Chicago Bulls Central with Haize! 🔥

First, Haize breaks down why Jalen Smith’s value may go far beyond his own box-score production. Smith averaged 10.2 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting 37.3% from three last season, and his ability to stretch the floor at center could create more space for Mat...

Is this Isaac Okoro’s final chance to prove he belongs with the Chicago Bulls? And could Tiago Splitter turn offensive rebounding into a major part of Chicago’s identity?

On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down THREE major questions surrounding the Bulls heading toward training camp and the 2026–27 NBA season.

First, we dive into Isaac Okoro’s make-or-break year in Chicago. Okoro averaged 9.3 points while shooting 33% from three last season, but his defensive value could become even more important if Tiago Splitter uses him as Chicago’s primary perimeter stopper. With Okoro s...

Should the Chicago Bulls send Noa Essengue back to the G League—and could Tre Jones actually become TOO valuable for Chicago to trade?

On today’s episode of Chicago Bulls Central, Haize continues breaking down the biggest questions surrounding the Bulls heading into the 2026–27 season.

First, we dive into Noa Essengue’s development plan. After a difficult Summer League and an injury-shortened rookie season, Chicago has a major decision to make: should the 19-year-old forward spend meaningful time with the Windy City Bulls, or would practicing every day with Tiago Splitter and the NBA roster a...

Could Leonard Miller eventually become the most valuable player the Chicago Bulls received in the Ayo Dosunmu trade?

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize continues the Bulls player-prediction series with one of Chicago’s most intriguing young forwards.

Miller averaged 11.7 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 23.1 minutes during his 27 games with Chicago while shooting 55.5% from the field and 35.6% from three. The production was real — but this season brings a much different challenge. Miller must prove he can remain impactful without guaranteed touches, regular starts or a huge offensive role.

His pathway is straightforward: run th...

Bleacher Report has Rob Dillingham pegged as the Chicago Bulls’ top breakout candidate for 2026–27 — but Chicago may have to make a major decision on his future before the breakout has time to fully happen.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what a legitimate Rob Dillingham leap would actually look like after he averaged 9.6 points, 2.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 21.5 minutes during his 30 games with Chicago last season.

The Bulls have until October 31 to decide whether to exercise Dillingham’s roughly $8.8 million fourth-year option for 2027–28. That means training camp, preseason and a small sample of regular-s...

Is Chicago Bulls lead executive Bryson Graham already being judged too harshly before his rebuild has really had time to breathe?

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize reacts to an editorial ranking that placed Chicago’s front office in its lowest tier. The key distinction: this is one writer’s evaluation, not a poll of NBA executives. The bigger question is whether Graham should be graded on the current roster, his first offseason decisions, or his still-unproven ability to eventually build a contender.

Chicago’s offseason added Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Norman Powell and Nic Clax...

Caleb Wilson hasn’t played a regular-season NBA game yet, and HoopsHype already has the Chicago Bulls rookie ranked among the league’s top 15 power forwards.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why the ranking is exciting — but also why Wilson’s development as a playmaker could matter even more than where he appears on a preseason list.

Wilson already showed a foundation as a passer at North Carolina, averaging 2.7 assists while producing multiple six-assist performances. The next step isn’t asking him to become Chicago’s full-time offensive engine immediately. It’s testing whethe...

Taj Gibson is officially back with the Chicago Bulls — but his return could matter far more than simply giving fans a familiar face on the coaching staff.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down which young Bulls could benefit most from Gibson beginning his first NBA coaching job after a 17-year playing career that included more than 1,000 games. Gibson built his NBA longevity through physical defense, rebounding, screening, preparation and adapting to whatever role his team needed.

That makes Tobe Awaka an obvious potential pupil. Gibson can help the young big establish contact befo...