...
By Anne Erickson
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
October is still months away. But, it's not too early to start looking at the new NBA rosters to see how teams are tacking up.
The Chicago Bulls finally appear to have a clearer direction heading into the season. After years of trying to stay competitive without fully committing to a rebuild, the organization now has a young group it can actually build around.
A lot of that excitement starts with Caleb Wilson. The No. 4 overall pick made a serious impression during Summer League, looking like a player who might be ready to contribute sooner rather than later. In four games, Wilson averaged 23.5 points while shooting 50% from the field and 42% from three-point range, along with 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 2.5 blocks.
Read More on NBA
Summer League numbers always come with a warning label. The competition is different, and plenty of players have looked unstoppable in July before running into reality once the regular season begins.
More news: Wizards Have a Player Poised for a Breakout
...
Still, Wilson gave Bulls fans something they haven't had in a while: a reason to feel like the future might actually be taking shape.
The Bulls also added Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 pick, giving them another young piece to develop alongside Wilson. The growth of that group will be one of the biggest storylines this season, especially with Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue also looking to take another step forward.
Essengue's return is particularly interesting after a shoulder injury limited him to nearly his entire rookie season. Getting him back into the rotation could feel like adding another young player without making a move.
Chicago also brought in some veteran help. Norman Powell gives the team another proven scorer on the wing, while Nic Claxton adds a defensive presence inside that the Bulls have been missing. Those additions won't define the franchise's future, but they can provide stability while the younger players figure things out.
More sports: Get Know the Spurs’ Breakout Candidate for 2026
The departures of Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton leave some holes in the lineup, but the Bulls seem more focused on development than just getting short-term fixes.
That might be the biggest change of all. For the first time in a while, Chicago isn't just trying to stay afloat. The team is giving its young players room to grow, and Wilson has quickly become the centerpiece of that plan.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines