The Chicago Bulls face challenges even before the NBA regular season starts. Injuries to their centers—Nic Claxton, Zach Collins, and Tobe Awaka—have disrupted their backcourt during the first three games of the preseason. Starting a season with injuries is not ideal, yet it serves as an opportunity to test the team’s depth.
Coach Tiago Splitter is using this time to explore various rotations. He plans to experiment with his primary rotations during the final preseason games against Milwaukee and Minnesota. However, these lineups may not be consistent throughout the season. Splitter emphasizes the importance of flexible decision-making, adjusting based on player availability. “It’s not nailed down,” Splitter noted. “The availability of the players is going to change. It’s a night-to-night type of thing. Those decisions have to be made right before the game.”
Developing Young Talent
This season, exposing players to significant playing time is crucial. Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis need opportunities to enhance essential skills like on-ball facilitation and defense. Meanwhile, Josh Giddey faces a pivotal year to establish himself as a long-term point guard option.
The roster presents a complex challenge for Splitter. The backcourt includes clear starters like Claxton and Collins, but further options like Awaka, Jalen Smith, Noa Essengue, Leonard Miller, and Patrick Williams create depth. Splitter must integrate experienced veterans like Isaac Okoro, Buddy Hield, and Tre Jones without hindering the development of younger players.
Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson II battles Chicago Bulls’ Buddy Hield for a rebound during the first half of a preseason game Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Rotational Flexibility
Leonard Miller’s strong preseason performances add another layer of complexity. Splitter values Miller’s ability to switch between positions, enhancing a lineup built on flexibility. “Even the last game, we kind of played him small ball five,” Wilson mentioned. Such adaptability signals potential for new strategies.
The Bulls avoid committing to a narrow nine-player rotation. Splitter must evaluate various talents for development and future roles. Should players like Powell or Hield excel, they might be traded by the February deadline, offering others a chance.
Building for the Future
In their rebuilding phase, the Bulls lack a clear star presence. The expectation is for Wilson or Buzelis—or both—to fill that role in the future. Until then, Splitter relies on a dynamic roster to adapt throughout the season, using flexible combinations and schemes.
“There is a lot of different combinations that we can use,” Splitter stated, emphasizing ongoing learning and adaptation with the team. “We’re still trying to see what’s the best combination of players and schemes for them.”