Chicago Bulls Central

CALEB WILSON JUST DROPPED 30 POINTS AND 14 REBOUNDS! IS HE ALREADY THE CHICAGO BULLS' NUMBER ONE SCORING OPTION?!

BULLS NATION, THE FUTURE IS GETTING INTERESTING! 👀

After Caleb Wilson's MONSTER performance against the Washington Wizards, the Chicago Bulls have some serious decisions to make about their offense, their young core, and the direction of this team!

But Caleb isn't the only big storyline!

Tiago Splitter's tough-love coaching approach is creating debate, and the Bulls are shooting a disastrous 22.6% from three-point range through their first three games!

Join Haize on Chicago Bulls Central as we break down the latest Chicago Bulls news, Caleb Wilson's development, Matas Buzelis' role, Josh Giddey's offensive fit, and the biggest adjustments Chicago needs before facing the Boston Celtics!

🔥 TODAY'S CHICAGO BULLS PODCAST TOPICS:

🌟 1. CALEB WILSON IS BECOMING A STAR! IS HE ALREADY CHICAGO'S NUMBER ONE OPTION?

The Bulls rookie exploded for 30 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals and ZERO turnovers against the Washington Wizards!

After struggling with nine turnovers in his NBA debut, Wilson has rapidly improved his decision-making and offensive impact.

But is Chicago ready to make the 2026 No. 4 overall pick its primary scoring option?

Should Tiago Splitter build more of the offense around Caleb? And what would that mean for Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey?

👀 2. TIAGO SPLITTER'S TOUGH LOVE! ACCOUNTABILITY OR TOO SHORT A LEASH?

Splitter has shown he's willing to bench young players when they aren't executing!

Matas Buzelis saw reduced minutes against Milwaukee and was briefly removed during the Wizards game over defensive mistakes before returning to help Chicago's fourth-quarter rally.

Is this exactly the accountability the Bulls need? Or could Splitter's approach hurt the confidence and development of Chicago's young core?

We're discussing coaching, player development, defensive accountability and whether Splitter is striking the right balance!

🚨 3. THE BULLS HAVE A THREE-POINT SHOOTING PROBLEM!

Chicago went just 12-for-43 from three-point range against Washington!

Through three games, the Bulls have made only 28 of 124 three-point attempts. That's just 22.6%!

Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis have been far more effective attacking inside than shooting from deep.

Should Chicago continue encouraging the same three-point volume? Or does the offense need major adjustments in shot selection, floor spacing and off-ball movement?

And how can the Bulls maximize the shooting of Norman Powell and Buddy Hield while helping Josh Giddey remain effective?

🏀 THE BIG QUESTIONS:

🔥 Is Caleb Wilson already Chicago's best scoring option?

🌟 Can Matas Buzelis and Caleb become a dangerous scoring duo?

👀 Is Tiago Splitter's tough-love approach helping young players develop?

🚨 Are the Bulls giving young players enough freedom to make mistakes?

🎯 Why is Chicago shooting only 22.6% from three?

🧠 How can Josh Giddey improve the team's spacing and offensive execution?

💪 What adjustments must the Bulls make before facing the Boston Celtics?

💬 BULLS NATION, WE WANT YOUR TAKES!

Should Caleb Wilson become the Bulls' number one scoring option RIGHT NOW?

Is Tiago Splitter coaching this young roster the right way?

And what's the FIRST offensive change Chicago needs to make?

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💬 DROP YOUR THOUGHTS IN THE COMMENTS!

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#ChicagoBulls #BullsNation #CalebWilson #MatasBuzelis #TiagoSplitter #JoshGiddey #NormanPowell #BuddyHield #NBA #BostonCeltics

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🐂🔥 CALEB WILSON IS GROWING UP FAST, AND THE CHICAGO BULLS YOUNG CORE IS MAKING SOME NOISE!

After the Chicago Bulls' thrilling 132-125 comeback victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, rookie Caleb Wilson is already showing why his development could change the future of this franchise!

But Wilson isn't the only young Bull turning heads. Leonard Miller and Noa Essengue are pushing for bigger opportunities, and head coach Tiago Splitter suddenly has some difficult rotation decisions to make!

🎙️ Join Haize on Chicago Bulls Central as we break down the biggest Chicago Bulls news, young core developments, roster decisions, and the upcoming Bulls vs Washington Wizards matchup featuring Anthony Davis and Trae Young!

🔥 TODAY'S CHICAGO BULLS TOPICS:

🌟 1. CALEB WILSON'S IMPRESSIVE BOUNCE-BACK!

After committing nine turnovers and shooting 7-of-21 in his NBA debut against Toronto, Caleb Wilson responded with 21 points on 7-of-14 shooting and only three turnovers against Milwaukee!

Is Chicago already seeing signs of Wilson's growth as a decision-maker? And how can Tiago Splitter continue building his confidence without placing too much pressure on the rookie?

👀 2. LEONARD MILLER & NOA ESSENGUE ARE FORCING THE ISSUE!

Leonard Miller exploded for 19 points on efficient shooting while Noa Essengue provided game-changing defensive activity with three steals and a block!

Chicago's bench outscored Milwaukee's 59-35, raising serious questions about who deserves minutes moving forward.

Have Miller and Essengue earned permanent spots in the Bulls rotation? Could their emergence change the roles of other young players?

🚨 3. ANTHONY DAVIS & TRAE YOUNG ARE NEXT!

The Chicago Bulls return home to face the Washington Wizards on Saturday!

Anthony Davis opened the season with 34 points and 12 rebounds, while Trae Young added 20 points and 13 assists against Milwaukee.

With Nic Claxton sidelined, how can Chicago contain Washington's dangerous pick-and-roll combination if Davis and Young both suit up?

Will Caleb Wilson rise to the challenge? Can Jalen Smith handle Washington's size? And will Splitter's young bench continue making an impact?

🏀 THE BIG QUESTIONS:

🔥 Has Caleb Wilson already shown meaningful growth?

🔥 Is Leonard Miller becoming impossible to ignore?

🔥 Should Noa Essengue receive more consistent NBA minutes?

🔥 Which Bulls lineups give Chicago its best chance to win?

🔥 Can the Bulls slow down Anthony Davis and Trae Young?

🔥 Will Chicago build on its first win of the season?

💬 BULLS NATION! Which young player are you most excited about after the Milwaukee game? And what is your biggest concern heading into the Wizards matchup?

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#ChicagoBulls #BullsNation #CalebWilson #LeonardMiller #NoaEssengue #MatasBuzelis #JoshGiddey #TiagoSplitter #AnthonyDavis #TraeYoung #NBA

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Haize 🐂🔥 THE CHICAGO BULLS JUST GOT THEIR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON!

FINAL: Chicago Bulls 132, Milwaukee Bucks 125!

After getting embarrassed by the Toronto Raptors on opening night, the Chicago Bulls responded with an incredible comeback victory over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum!

Join Haize and Chicago Bulls Central LIVE as we break down Chicago's first win of the 2026-27 NBA season, Caleb Wilson's clutch performance, Tiago Splitter's adjustments, and everything that changed against Milwaukee!

🔥 BULLS vs BUCKS POSTGAME STORYLINES:

🏀 CALEB WILSON SHOWS HIS CLUTCH GENE! After a rough NBA debut featuring nine turnovers, the Bulls rookie delivered important late-game moments. Are we watching the beginning of something special?

🚨 CHICAGO ERASES A 15-POINT DEFICIT! The Bulls trailed 32-17 after the first quarter before erupting for 44 points in the second and battling their way to a 132-125 victory!

🎯 NORMAN POWELL BRINGS THE SCORING! Chicago needed offensive stability after its ugly performance against Toronto. Did Powell show why his veteran presence is so important?

🧠 TIAGO SPLITTER MAKES THE ADJUSTMENTS! The Bulls found ways to fight back, leaned into their depth, and finished strong. Did Splitter discover something important about his rotation?

🌟 WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MATAS BUZELIS? We discuss his offensive role, consistency, and how Chicago can get more from one of its most important young players.

💪 THE BULLS BENCH MAKES ITS CASE! We break down the contributions of Leonard Miller, Isaac Okoro, Tre Jones, and Chicago's supporting cast.

🔥 TYLER HERRO & THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS! How did Chicago handle Milwaukee's offensive weapons, and what still needs to improve defensively?

📊 THE BIGGEST TAKEAWAY:

The Bulls scored just 92 points against Toronto. Tonight, they exploded for 132 and showed the kind of offensive resilience fans wanted to see!

But is this the beginning of a real turnaround, or did Chicago simply survive another flawed Eastern Conference team?

💬 BULLS NATION, LET'S TALK!

Was Caleb Wilson the biggest reason Chicago won? Does Tiago Splitter deserve credit for his rotations? And what concerns remain despite the victory?

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🐂 CHICAGO BULLS CENTRAL | LIVE BULLS POSTGAME COVERAGE WITH HAIZE

#ChicagoBulls #BullsNation #BullsVsBucks #CalebWilson #MatasBuzelis #JoshGiddey #NormanPowell #TiagoSplitter #NBAPostgame

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Is Matas Buzelis’ third-year leap already in question after ONE game? Not so fast — but Chicago absolutely needs to see more.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what Matas’ opening-night performance actually tells us, why Tiago Splitter is considering two-big combinations, and the five biggest things Chicago must prepare for against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Matas finished against Toronto with 17 points, six rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes, but shot just 2-for-8 from the field and 0-for-4 from three. The fascinating part? He still got to the free-throw line 16 times, making 13.

So is his third-year leap already in trouble?

No.

But the standard has changed.

Chicago needs Matas to become more dependable when the first action breaks down, attack closeouts without losing control, recognize help earlier, stay active defensively when his jumper isn’t falling and produce against teams prepared to take away his favorite opportunities.

Then there’s Tiago Splitter’s latest wrinkle.

Splitter has discussed testing two-big combinations, and with Zach Collins back, Chicago can now evaluate pairings like Jalen Smith + Collins. Collins returned against Toronto with five rebounds in nine minutes while reportedly operating under a 12-to-16-minute restriction.

The key question isn’t simply:

“Does more size sound good?”

It’s whether the lineup actually improves specific possessions.

Can two bigs:

• Finish defensive rebounds?
• Give Chicago another interior defender?
• Create better screens?
• Generate elbow passing opportunities?
• Survive defensively when opponents drag a big away from the rim?

Haize also lays out a potential experimental lineup:

Tre Jones

Norman Powell

Matas Buzelis

Jalen Smith

Zach Collins

with Smith spacing the floor while Collins facilitates from the elbow.

And then comes Milwaukee.

The Bucks present a completely different tactical challenge.

🔥 Tyler Herro opened with 24 points and nine assists

💪 Jaime Jaquez Jr. had 22 points and seven rebounds

🎯 Myles Turner can pull Chicago’s centers away from the rim

✈️ Kel’el Ware gives Milwaukee a different rolling threat

🚨 Milwaukee will almost certainly test Chicago’s ball security after the Bulls’ disastrous opener

Chicago also has something to attack.

Washington scored 70 points in the paint and attempted 41 free throws against Milwaukee, giving the Bulls a potential blueprint to investigate — not a guarantee they can duplicate it.

💬 BULLS NATION: What concerns you most heading into Milwaukee — Herro’s creation, Jaquez attacking mismatches or Chicago handling Turner and Ware?

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The Chicago Bulls cannot simply wait for Nic Claxton to return and expect everything that went wrong against Toronto to disappear.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down the biggest problems exposed in Chicago’s 135-92 opening-night loss, how the Bulls can help rookie Caleb Wilson bounce back, and five specific changes Tiago Splitter needs before Friday’s matchup with Milwaukee.

Chicago committed 27 turnovers, which led to 35 Toronto points, while the Raptors won the fast-break battle 34-13. Those categories overlap, so they should not be added together, but they show the same larger issue: Chicago repeatedly gave Toronto advantageous possessions before the Bulls could even establish their defense.

That’s why this isn’t simply a Nic Claxton conversation.

Claxton can eventually help with rim protection, mobility and defensive coverage, but he cannot fix:

• Forced passing decisions
• Poor floor balance
• Bad spacing
• Perimeter containment
• Young players repeating the same mistake
• Veteran guards failing to stabilize ugly stretches

And Josh Giddey has to be better.

Giddey finished the opener with 2 points on 1-for-10 shooting, 6 assists and 5 turnovers. Chicago needs its lead organizer getting the Bulls into actions early, recognizing when the game needs a manageable possession and putting Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson in positions where their decisions are simpler.

Then we get into Caleb.

Wilson’s NBA debut was eventful:

🔥 16 points

💪 4 rebounds

🔒 3 steals

🚫 1 block

🎯 7-for-21 FG

📉 1-for-8 from three

🚨 9 turnovers

The solution should NOT be taking responsibility away from him.

Instead, Chicago needs to improve the quality of Caleb’s opportunities.

That means:

• Using him as a screener
• Getting him rolling toward the rim
• Creating short-roll decisions
• Giving him catches while already moving
• Using weak-side cuts
• Establishing early seals
• Evaluating his three-point attempts individually rather than telling him to stop shooting entirely

And finally, the Bulls don’t have time to fix everything before Milwaukee.

They DO have time to make five clear corrections:

1. Start with cleaner, executable possessions
2. Make Tyler Herro work before he receives the ball
3. Make Milwaukee defend the paint before settling for threes
4. Finish defensive possessions with contact and rebounds
5. Give every rotation group a clear offensive and defensive identity

This is now Tiago Splitter’s first major response test.

The Bulls will still make mistakes.

What matters Friday is whether we can SEE that Chicago understood what Toronto exposed and applied the correction.

💬 BULLS NATION: What needs the biggest improvement against Milwaukee — turnovers, Caleb’s decision-making, Josh Giddey’s leadership or Tiago Splitter’s rotations?

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OPENING NIGHT COULD NOT HAVE GONE MUCH WORSE FOR THE CHICAGO BULLS.

The Bulls were blown out 135-92 by the Toronto Raptors, suffering a stunning 43-point loss in the first regular-season game of the Tiago Splitter era.

Join Haize LIVE on Chicago Bulls Central as we break down what went wrong, what this game exposed about Chicago’s young roster, and which problems can be fixed quickly versus which ones may become larger concerns.

The biggest takeaway is impossible to ignore:

Chicago scored only 92 points while allowing Toronto to hang 135.

That is exactly the type of regular-season reality check we talked about entering opening night.

🔥 LIVE POSTGAME TOPICS:

• 😳 How the Bulls allowed a 43-point blowout

• 🧠 Why Chicago’s half-court offense struggled once Toronto took away the easy looks

• 🚨 What happened when the Bulls’ first offensive action failed

• 🔒 Why the defense could not survive consistently without Nic Claxton

• 🌟 What we learned from Matas Buzelis in his first regular-season test

• 🐂 How rookie Caleb Wilson handled his first NBA regular-season game

• 🧠 Whether Josh Giddey created enough offense against Toronto’s length

• 🎯 How the Bulls used Jalen Smith at center

• 👀 What Tiago Splitter could have adjusted sooner

• 📉 Whether the preseason optimism took a legitimate hit

• 🔄 What MUST change before the Bulls face Milwaukee

• 🏀 Why one ugly game doesn’t define the rebuild — but the response absolutely matters

Chicago came into the opener wanting to prove three things:

Create good offense against a set defense.

Stop mistakes from multiplying.

Adjust when the opponent exposes something.

Toronto put all three areas under serious pressure tonight.

Now the question becomes whether the Bulls can actually use this film and show meaningful corrections in Game 2.

💬 BULLS NATION: What concerned you MOST tonight — the offense, the defense, the effort or Tiago Splitter’s adjustments?

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The Chicago Bulls have officially picked up the 2027-28 rookie contract options on Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue — and now the real development work begins.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what BOTH young forwards need to prove this season, previews Chicago’s opening-night matchup against Toronto, and puts five bold Bulls predictions on the record for the 2026-27 season.

Chicago exercised Matas Buzelis’ fourth-year option at approximately $7.58 million and Noa Essengue’s third-year option at approximately $5.97 million. These are existing rookie-contract options — not new extensions. Matas becomes rookie-extension eligible in summer 2027, while Chicago’s next major Noa decision will be whether to exercise his fourth-year option for 2028-29.

The development conversations are very different.

For Noa Essengue, the goal is to establish a dependable NBA identity built around physicality, defensive positioning, screening, cutting, running the floor and consistent engagement — even if the jumper remains inconsistent. Chicago also has a crowded forward group with Matas, Caleb Wilson, Leonard Miller, Dailyn Swain and Isaac Okoro, so meaningful reps may require a deliberate mix of NBA minutes and Windy City assignments. Pasted text

For Matas Buzelis, the question is how much responsibility he can eventually carry. He enters the year after averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 34.9% from three. The next step is becoming a more complete creator: beating the first defender, handling the help defender, staying involved when others have the advantage and making his defensive versatility more dependable.

Then it’s OPENING NIGHT.

Toronto’s projected starting lineup features Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl, giving Chicago an immediate test against length, experience and physicality. Nic Claxton is out, while the source document lists Dailyn Swain and Jordan Hawkins as not expected to travel because of illness; Zach Collins, Leonard Miller, Isaac Okoro and Tobe Awaka were listed as probable on the October 21 morning report.

The biggest questions:

🔥 Can Chicago move Toronto’s defense before attacking?

🎯 Can Jalen Smith’s shooting pull Poeltl away from the paint?

🔒 Can the Bulls protect the rim without over-helping?

👀 How do Matas and Caleb handle difficult defensive assignments?

🧠 Which reserves give Tiago Splitter exactly what the starters need?

And finally…

🔥 FIVE BOLD BULLS PREDICTIONS

1. Matas Buzelis averages 20+ PPG while shooting at least 37% from three.
2. Caleb Wilson wins Rookie of the Year.
3. Leonard Miller becomes Chicago’s leading bench scorer and averages at least 13 PPG.
4. Josh Giddey averages double-digit assists.
5. Chicago finishes in the NBA’s top 15 in defensive rating. Pasted text

💬 Which prediction are YOU riding with — and which one are you saving to roast Haize about in April? 😂

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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 conversation is simply whether Chicago should consider him now that he is available.

Clayton’s profile is intriguing because he has shown both scoring and playmaking ability. In his final season at Florida, he averaged 18.3 points, 4.2 assists and shot 38.6% from three. As an NBA rookie, he averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 assists, but his three-point percentage fell to 30.7%.

Chicago could potentially develop him as:

• 🧠 A secondary ball-handler next to Josh Giddey
• 🎯 A creator for developmental lineups
• 🔥 A guard who can relocate and shoot after giving up the ball

But Chicago already has Giddey, Tre Jones, Norman Powell and Buddy Hield on standard deals, while Jordan Hawkins, Jaylin Sellers and Tobe Awaka occupy the three two-way spots. That means the Bulls would need an actual development plan, not simply excitement over Clayton’s draft pedigree.

Then we turn to opening night.

With Nic Claxton unavailable, Chicago’s young forwards will face a serious defensive responsibility against Toronto. The source document frames a possible matchup with Matas defending Kawhi Leonard and Caleb taking Scottie Barnes, while emphasizing that this is a proposed matchup, not an announced coaching decision. Pasted text

The key isn’t whether Matas and Caleb shut down elite scorers.

It’s whether they:

• Communicate through screens
• Help at the correct time
• Recover under control
• Stay disciplined when contesting shots
• Finish possessions with rebounds

That defensive partnership may tell us more about their long-term fit together than one big scoring night. Pasted text

And finally, Chicago opens with Toronto, Milwaukee and Washington, including an early back-to-back. Haize lays out three things the Bulls need to prove:

🔥 Create quality offense when transition disappears

🧠 Play aggressively without giving away possessions

📈 Show that Tiago Splitter and the players can adjust from game to gamE

💬 Would you use Chicago’s final roster spot on Walter Clayton Jr., and what matters more opening night: Matas and Caleb scoring big or defending well together?

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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 situation is conditional on him becoming available. Neither means Chicago has completed a move. Pasted text

Knecht gives Chicago another potential perimeter scorer. His production dropped from 9.1 points per game on 37.6% from three in 2024-25 to 4.2 points on 34.2% from deep last season, so Chicago would need a clear plan for why his game could improve in a different role. Pasted text

But the roster is already crowded with shooters and young perimeter players.

Buddy Hield. Jordan Hawkins. Jaylin Sellers. Dailyn Swain.

That makes the question bigger than whether Knecht has talent. Chicago has to determine whether adding him is worth the minutes, coaching attention and roster space. Pasted text

Cissé offers something very different.

In 38 games last season, he averaged 4.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just 13.9 minutes, shooting 57.4% from the field. His appeal would be a simple role built around screening, rolling, finishing, rim protection and rebounding. Pasted text

The downside?

He offers little perimeter spacing, attempted no threes last season and shot 46.9% from the free-throw line. Chicago would need to know whether his defense and rebounding outweigh those offensive limitations. Pasted text

The Bulls currently have their three two-way spots occupied and have 14 standard-contract players, meaning one standard roster spot remains. Adding both Knecht and Cissé would require another roster move. Pasted text

My lean?

Investigate Cissé first if Dallas makes him available, while keeping the Knecht conversation alive if Los Angeles makes the price favorable. Pasted text

Then we turn to Josh Giddey.

Giddey acknowledged that throwing lobs is something he has not done much throughout his career. Now he has Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis, Nic Claxton, Leonard Miller and Noa Essengue as potential vertical targets. Pasted text (2)

A credible lob threat can change how a defense guards Giddey before the ball ever leaves his hands. The big may step toward Josh, stay attached to the roller, or force a third defender to help. That can create a finish, lob, corner three or extra pass. Pasted text (2)

And finally:

What happens if the Bulls are better than expected?

Bryson Graham’s biggest challenge may come if Caleb, Matas, Giddey and the young core start winning early. The front office has to understand whether that success is sustainable before spending future assets to chase more of it. Pasted text (2)

🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:

• Dalton Knecht vs Moussa Cissé
• Which player better fits Chicago’s final roster spot
• Why Knecht would need a clear development plan
• Why Cissé’s rebounding and rim protection are intriguing
• The Jalen Smith factor in any Knecht trade
• Josh Giddey developing his lob game
• Caleb, Matas, Claxton, Leonard and Noa as vertical threats
• Why shooting helps create lob opportunities
• How to judge Giddey’s passing beyond assists
• What Bryson Graham should do if Chicago starts winning
• When a trade should accelerate the rebuild
• Why a hot month should NOT dictate the entire plan

💬 Who would YOU rather use the final roster spot on: Dalton Knecht, Moussa Cissé or nobody yet?

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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.” Pasted text

That gives us the bigger developmental question.

Can Caleb learn to recognize what the possession needs from him, rather than simply hunting touches?

Sometimes that means attacking.

Sometimes screening.

Sometimes moving the ball.

Sometimes keeping an advantage alive for somebody else.

Chicago’s goal should be developing Caleb’s judgment alongside his skill set. Pasted text

Then we go FACTS OR CAP:

🧢 The Bulls can’t take the next step without an isolation scorer.

My verdict?

CAP as an absolute statement.

But dependable individual creation DOES matter when Chicago’s movement offense gets disrupted. The bigger goal should be developing players who can force a defense to react, whether that advantage starts through isolation, a ball screen, a handoff, a mismatch or attacking a closeout. Pasted text

That means different assignments for different Bulls:

🔥 Norman Powell gets decisive scoring possessions.

🌟 Matas Buzelis learns what to do when the second defender arrives.

🐂 Caleb builds a smaller menu of repeatable advantages.

🧠 Josh Giddey must punish clean scoring opportunities enough to strengthen his passing. Pasted text

And finally, we break down Splitter’s use of full-court pressure.

Splitter specifically identified Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue as long, mobile defenders who can help Chicago “make the court a little smaller” and disrupt opponents after certain stoppages. The goal doesn’t have to be a steal every possession. Making an opponent start its offense later and less comfortably can already create value. Pasted text

🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:

• Caleb Wilson’s developmental leash
• What “It’s not the Caleb Show” actually means
• Splitter’s accountability standard
• Why Caleb asking for additional film matters
• Facts or Cap on Chicago needing an isolation scorer
• Norman Powell’s role in difficult possessions
• Matas learning to beat the second defender
• Caleb’s repeatable creation package
• Josh Giddey balancing scoring and passing
• Chicago’s full-court pressure
• Isaac Okoro’s potential role at the point of attack
• How Caleb, Matas and Noa can use their length
• What Bulls fans should watch beyond steals
• Bulls Nation voicemails

💬 With six seconds left and the offense broken, who do YOU trust most with the ball right now: Powell, Matas or Giddey?

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