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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.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
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.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
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.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
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.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Nicolas Claxton to be Re-Evaluated in Two Weeks
Chicago Bulls center Nicolas Claxton (hamstring) will be re-evaluated in two weeks after tweaking his hamstring, head coach Tiago Splitter told reporters Monday, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network. The timetable rules Claxton out for the preseason and puts his status for Chicago's Oct. 21 opener at Toronto in question. Splitter said Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and "a big" will start Wednesday's preseason opener. With Zach Collins (toe) also sidelined, Jalen Smith is the clearest fill-in. Smith averaged 10.2 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.5 threes last season, giving him added fantasy appeal if Claxton misses regular-season time.
Source: K.C. Johnson
Source: K.C. Johnson
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.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
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.
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Source: Joel Lorenzi
Rob Dillingham Heads to Charlotte
The Charlotte Hornets are acquiring guard Rob Dillingham from the Chicago Bulls for Buddy Hield and cash, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The former No. 8 overall pick averaged 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 21.5 minutes across 30 games with Chicago last season, though he shot just 30.0 percent from three. LaMelo Ball's departure opens more opportunity in Charlotte, but Dillingham still joins a backcourt featuring Coby White, Dennis Schroder, and rookie Christian Anderson. Kon Knueppel's (hamstring) absence should give Dillingham a little more room to show what he can do early, but he'll need to shoot the ball better before fantasy managers can count on him.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
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.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Taj Gibson Retires and Joins the Bulls as an Assistant Coach
Former forward/center Taj Gibson is retiring after 17 NBA seasons and returning to the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under Tiago Splitter, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The 41-year-old was the 26th overall pick in 2009 and spent his first eight seasons in Chicago, where he ranks fifth in franchise history with 695 blocks. Gibson averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks across 1,012 career games, with his best scoring season coming at 13.0 points per game in 2013-14. Gibson's fantasy impact is more about player development than immediate rotation changes. Chicago has a young frontcourt with Nicolas Claxton, No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson, and Matas Buzelis, giving Gibson a hands-on group to work with as he moves into coaching. Wilson is still the name to watch after earning 2026 NBA All-Summer League First Team honors, but Gibson's arrival on the bench does not change the fantasy outlook on its own.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
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.
Source: Law Murray
Source: Law Murray
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.
Source: DJ Siddiqi
Source: DJ Siddiqi
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.
Source: Elias Schuster
Source: Elias Schuster
Jordan Brink Joins Bulls' Development Staff
The Chicago Bulls are hiring Jordan Brink as an assistant coach and director of player development, according to HoopsHype's Michael Scotto. Brink arrives after winning an NBA championship on Mike Brown's New York Knicks staff and previously worked as an assistant coach with the Detroit Pistons. Assistant-coach hires rarely shift fantasy value by themselves, but the move fits the development focus under Bryson Graham and Tiago Splitter. Josh Giddey remains Chicago's safest fantasy piece after averaging 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.1 assists last season. The more interesting name is Matas Buzelis, whose path to a breakout could improve if Brink helps speed up his two-way growth.
Source: Michael Scotto
Source: Michael Scotto
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.
Source: Anthony Chiang
Source: Anthony Chiang
