Chicago Bulls News

EASTERN CENTRAL

Nic Claxton • C • Bulls

Nic Claxton Out Another Two Weeks

Chicago Bulls center Nic Claxton (hamstring) will miss Wednesday's season opener in Toronto after head coach Tiago Splitter said he will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks, according to Chicago Sports Network's K.C. Johnson. Splitter noted that Claxton is progressing and the timeline remains an estimate. The 27-year-old averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, a career-high 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks with Brooklyn last season. Jalen Smith started at center for most of the preseason and carries added fantasy appeal while Claxton is sidelined. Zach Collins (toe) practiced Monday and could also absorb center minutes if cleared for the opener.

6 hours ago

Norman Powell • SG • Bulls

Norman Powell Goes 10-for-12 at the Line in Preseason Loss to Memphis

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Norman Powell scored 17 points in 19 minutes during Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. He shot 3-for-6 from the field and 1-for-2 from three while adding three rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Most of his damage came at the line, where he went 10-for-12. The 33-year-old has now scored 31 points in roughly 33 preseason minutes after putting up 14 against Phoenix. On a young Bulls roster featuring Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis, Powell's ability to draw fouls gives him another path to steady scoring even when his outside shot isn't falling.

Oct 10

Caleb Wilson • PF • Bulls

Caleb Wilson Pours in 21 Points in Preseason Loss to Grizzlies

Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson scored 21 points in Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, adding four rebounds and one steal in 32 minutes. The No. 4 overall pick bounced back from an 0-for-4 night from three in his debut by hitting 5-for-11 from deep, though he went just 2-for-6 at the line. Wilson has now scored 36 points through two exhibitions. The 32 minutes were nice to see, but Chicago was shorthanded, and Wilson got an extra run late, so don't expect that workload every night. Still, the scoring and high three-point volume give him a real chance to carve out useful fantasy value early.

Oct 10

Matas Buzelis • SF • Bulls

Matas Buzelis Exits Friday's Preseason Contest Early

K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reports that Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (ankle) exited Friday's preseason contest against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game with a right ankle injury. Buzelis finished with six points and one block in 12 minutes. If the injury doesn't sideline him for long, the 21-year-old could play a significant role in Chicago's offense this season. He averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last campaign, making him an intriguing fantasy option heading into 2026-27.

Oct 9

Jordan Hawkins • SG • Bulls

Jordan Hawkins Signs Two-Way Deal with Bulls

Free-agent guard/forward Jordan Hawkins is signing a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Memphis waived the former No. 14 pick Friday, less than a month after acquiring him from New Orleans. Hawkins reunites with Bulls executive Bryson Graham, who was in the Pelicans' front office when he was drafted in 2023. The 24-year-old averaged 5.1 points in 13.6 minutes while shooting 34.8 percent from three across 51 games last season. With Norman Powell, Isaac Okoro, and rookie Dailyn Swain among Chicago's perimeter options, Hawkins could spend significant time with the Windy City Bulls and would likely need injuries or a rotation opening to gain fantasy relevance.

Oct 6

Isaiah Stevens • PG • Bulls

Isaiah Stevens Inks Contract With Bulls

Free agent point guard Isaiah Stevens signed on with the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. In July, Sacramento waived the 25-year-old, but he is set to see another opportunity in the Windy City. Stevens has been unable to make his mark so far in his short NBA career, recording just six outings across two seasons. He will likely begin the 2026-27 campaign in the G League.

Oct 1

Matas Buzelis • SF • Bulls

Matas Buzelis Plans to Attack the Rim More in Year 3

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis expects more offensive freedom under new head coach Tiago Splitter and wants to attack the rim more this season, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. The 21-year-old said he focused on adding strength after feeling he settled for too many three-pointers last year. Buzelis averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks while shooting 34.9 percent from three and 58.3 percent on two-point attempts. More drives and midrange work could help him get to the line more often while improving his shot selection. With Josh Giddey and rookie Caleb Wilson also needing touches, Buzelis finding better scoring opportunities could be key to another step forward.

Sep 30

Josh Giddey • SG • Bulls

Josh Giddey Enters Camp with No Restrictions

Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey says he has no restrictions entering training camp, according to Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic. The 23-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle in May after hamstring and ankle issues limited him to 54 games last season. Giddey still posted career highs of 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game. Chicago added Norman Powell and Nicolas Claxton during the offseason, giving Giddey another proven scorer and a capable interior target. If his ankle stays healthy, Giddey should remain the primary engine of the Bulls' offense under new head coach Tiago Splitter.

Sep 29

Buddy Hield • SF • Bulls

Buddy Hield Traded to Bulls

The Chicago Bulls are acquiring guard/forward Buddy Hield and cash from the Charlotte Hornets for Rob Dillingham, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. It's Hield's second trade in four days after Charlotte acquired him from Atlanta earlier in the week. The 33-year-old averaged a career-low 7.6 points and 1.5 threes in 16.1 minutes across 51 games with Golden State and Atlanta last season. Hield gives Chicago another perimeter shooter, but Norman Powell is expected to start alongside Josh Giddey in the backcourt. Hield averaged 11.1 points and 2.5 triples in 22.7 minutes in 2024-25, though his fantasy appeal in Chicago will depend on earning enough reserve minutes.

Sep 26

Nic Claxton • C • Bulls

Nicolas Claxton Projected to Start at Center for Bulls

Chicago Bulls center Nicolas Claxton is projected to open the season as the starting five, according to Law Murray of The Athletic. The move does not create a brand-new role after Claxton started 68 of 69 games for Brooklyn last season, but it does give him a fresh setup as Chicago looks to fill its center spot under Tiago Splitter. Zach Collins and Jalen Smith are the main backup bigs on the roster, so Claxton should still have a steady path to the 27.8 minutes per game he logged last season. He averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 57.1 percent shooting, and playing off Josh Giddey's passing could help his lob and putback chances. The 61.6 percent free-throw mark remains the fantasy tax.

Sep 9

Josh Giddey • SG • Bulls

Josh Giddey Says Consistency is the Bulls' Missing Piece

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Josh Giddey believes the roster has enough talent to reach the playoffs, but he told DJ Siddiqi of ClutchPoints that consistency will decide whether Chicago climbs the Eastern Conference. "I think it's a matter of doing it every night," Giddey said. The 23-year-old is coming off a career-best season, averaging 17.0 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.3 rebounds in 32.1 minutes across 54 games. He also underwent right ankle surgery in May but has since been cleared for 5-on-5 work with no restrictions. Norman Powell gives Chicago another scorer, while Nicolas Claxton and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson should give Giddey more finishing targets. The missed games still matter, but his assists, rebounds, and role under Tiago Splitter keep the fantasy ceiling high.

Sep 5

Matas Buzelis • SF • Bulls

Matas Buzelis Adds Strength Ahead of Year 3

Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis told Cousins with Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady that he added roughly 12 pounds this offseason and hired a personal chef to help keep the weight on. Bulls On SI's Elias Schuster noted that Buzelis wants to play through more contact and cut down on his three-point volume after taking 6.4 attempts per game last season. The 21-year-old nearly doubled his scoring in Year 2, averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 29.2 minutes while shooting 46.3 percent from the field. The added strength could help his finishing and rebounding, though Chicago's frontcourt now includes rookie Caleb Wilson and Nicolas Claxton. Buzelis still has breakout appeal, but the Bulls' crowded rotation keeps his fantasy ceiling tied to minutes.

Aug 21

Norman Powell • SG • Bulls

Norman Powell Says Heat Never Made Offer

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Norman Powell pushed back at Heat fans on X after criticism of his free-agency exit, saying Miami "never offered anything," according to Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. The 33-year-old landed a two-year, $45 million deal with Chicago after the Heat were squeezed by the first-apron hard cap following their trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bobby Portis. Powell also exchanged posts with Portis while defending his decision. The move should give Powell a cleaner scoring path in Chicago, where he joins Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Nicolas Claxton on a roster that needed shooting. After averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals on 47.0 percent shooting and 38.0 percent from three, Powell carries useful points-and-threes appeal if his role holds.

Aug 11

Mac McClung • PG • Bulls

Mac McClung Signs in Spain

Guard Mac McClung has signed with Spanish club Basquet Girona, according to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. The three-time NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion heads overseas after another huge G-League season with the Windy City Bulls, where he averaged 31.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 7.9 assists. McClung won his second G-League MVP, became the first two-time winner of the award, passed Renaldo Major as the league's all-time leading scorer, and dropped a career-high 59 points against Birmingham. The 27-year-old has played only 17 NBA games, including eight with Chicago last season, so this move keeps him off NBA fantasy radars unless he works his way back stateside.

Aug 7

Patrick Williams • PF • Bulls

Bulls Try to Move Patrick Williams

Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams is reportedly being shopped, with the team willing to attach draft compensation to move his contract, per Evan Sidery. Williams, 24, has three years left on the five-year, $90 million extension he signed in 2024, including an $18 million player option for 2028-29. Moving him would give Chicago more flexibility amid its reported interest in the Clippers' restricted free-agent Bennedict Mathurin, though that pursuit may not be as aggressive as first believed. Williams posted career lows of 7.0 points and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 34.7 percent from three last season, leaving him off the redraft radar unless a new team gives him a cleaner role.

Aug 1

Mac McClung • PG • Bulls

Rytas Vilnius Targets Mac McClung

Free-agent guard Mac McClung is increasingly likely to continue his career in Europe, with Rytas Vilnius monitoring him, per BasketNews. The three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion and two-time G-League MVP has chased an NBA role for years, but a consistent opportunity has not followed despite his production. McClung spent the end of last season on a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls and averaged 31.8 points and 7.9 assists for Windy City, yet he has logged only 17 NBA games. Rytas has emerged as a team to watch, though no agreement has been reported. A move overseas would take McClung off NBA fantasy boards, but he was never a redraft factor.

Jul 31

Mac McClung • PG • Bulls

Mac McClung Could Head to Europe

Free-agent guard Mac McClung is drawing serious interest from EuroLeague clubs and appears likely to head overseas, per BasketNews. The three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion and two-time G-League MVP became a fan favorite, but he never carved out a steady NBA role, logging 17 games across the Bulls, Lakers, 76ers, Magic, and Pacers. McClung remained an elite G-League scorer last season, averaging 31.8 points, 7.9 assists, and 3.6 rebounds for Windy City. After previously turning down major overseas offers to keep chasing an NBA spot, he now appears closer to a European move. For fantasy, McClung was never an NBA factor, so this would carry no redraft or dynasty impact.

Jul 30

Jalen Smith • PF • Bulls

Jalen Smith Emerges as Lakers Center-Depth Target

Chicago Bulls forward/center Jalen Smith has been listed by The Athletic's Dan Woike as one of the Lakers' center-depth targets, while NBA insider Evan Sidery has floated a framework that would send one of Jake LaRavia or Jaden Hardy, plus Dalton Knecht and second-round picks, to Chicago for Smith. Los Angeles has Kevon Looney behind starter Walker Kessler, but Smith would add a different look as a rebounding big who can space the floor next to Luka Don i . The fantasy catch is role. Smith averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season, but he would likely be a backup five in Los Angeles, just as he currently sits behind Nicolas Claxton in Chicago. The right-calf issue that ended last season adds some availability risk, leaving Smith as a deep-league option only if his minutes open up.

Jul 29

Noa Essengue • PF • Bulls

Noa Essengue Won't Play Due to Thumb Soreness

Chicago Bulls forward/center Noa Essengue (thumb) won't suit up for Friday's Summer League contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Essengue is dealing with right thumb soreness, so the team will hold him out of this exhibition contest. The Bulls are being cautious here, but there's no reason to believe that Essengue won't be ready to go by training camp. Essengue only played in two games for the Bulls before having season-ending shoulder surgery last year. The organization believes that the former No. 12 overall pick can be a key contributor down the road. The expectation is that Essengue will get a fair chance to prove himself on the rebuilding Bulls this upcoming season.

Jul 17

Dailyn Swain • SF • Bulls

Dailyn Swain Absent on Friday with Wrist Soreness

Chicago Bulls guard/forward Dailyn Swain (wrist) is out for Friday's Summer League contest against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The rookie guard is dealing with wrist soreness, so they've decided to play it safe and hold him out of this contest. There is no reason to believe that this is going to be a long-term issue for Swain. The 21-year-old should be ready to go once training camp rolls around. The Bulls used the 15th overall pick on Swain during this year's draft. He figures to get decent run on the rebuilding Bulls.

Jul 17

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