The Chicago Bulls are making waves as they gear up for the 2026-27 NBA season, and it all starts with some strategic roster decisions. With a fresh face at the helm in Bryson Graham, the new lead executive is bringing a dynamic approach to shaping the team's future.
After snagging Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain in the first round of the NBA Draft, Graham wasted no time in bolstering the roster by adding big man Nic Claxton through a savvy three-team trade. This move secures the Bulls a starting center and sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.
Claxton's $23.3 million salary for next season might seem hefty, but it barely dents the Bulls' financial flexibility. With over $30 million still available, the Bulls have plenty of room to maneuver in free agency or take advantage of salary-dump opportunities from other teams. However, before diving into the free agency pool, Graham and his team need to assess which players from the current roster will continue with the Bulls.
One of the key decisions involved Leonard Miller, who was acquired in the Ayo Dosunmu trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. While the previous management was likely to retain him, Graham's decision to pick up Miller's $2.4 million option signals confidence in his potential. Although non-guaranteed for now, this contract will solidify on June 30, marking the start of free agency.
Miller's performance in the latter part of the season showcased his potential as a valuable asset. Over his final 23 games, he averaged 13.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, shooting an impressive 54.9 percent from the field and hitting 34.9 percent of his three-point attempts.
Despite the Bulls being in tank mode, Miller's hustle, ability to finish at the rim, and defensive prowess made him stand out. At six-foot-ten and just 22 years old, Miller fits the mold of the kind of player Graham seems to favor-athletic, young, and with room to grow.
Meanwhile, changes are afoot as the Bulls look to refresh their roster. According to reports, Lachla Olbrich, drafted 55th in the 2025 NBA Draft, will not be returning to the Bulls. Despite his struggles during his rookie season, Olbrich has a chance to prove himself with the Golden State Warriors during Summer League play.
As for the Bulls' other two-way players, Yuki Kawamura and Mac McClung, their futures with the team remain uncertain. However, the Bulls have reportedly filled two of their three two-way slots with Jaylin Sellers from Providence and Tobe Awaka from Arizona, signaling a new direction for the team. Additionally, the Bulls have signed a pair of sharpshooters to their Summer League roster, aiming to evaluate their potential contributions.
With a mix of fresh talent and strategic decisions, the Bulls are poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming season. Keep an eye on this evolving roster as Graham continues to shape a team that could surprise many in the league.
In Other News...
Bulls Just Made Their First Truly Unsettling Rebuild Decision
Bryson Grahams first draft with the Bulls had a clear front-end plan. Chicago used its first-round picks on Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, giving the new lead executive two young pieces to shape into part of the next core while the franchise continues sorting out what the rebuild is supposed to become.
The part that lingers is how the Bulls handled the rest of the board, especially with shooting still sitting near the top of the rosters needs. Around the league, teams were able to turn useful rotation players like Isaiah Joe and Isaiah Stewart into draft capital, the kind of moves that at least hint at value extraction during a reset. Chicago, though, is still facing the bigger question of whether it is collecting enough assets to accelerate this process or simply leaving opportunities on the table while the roster waits for help through free agency or trade. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Fans Are Split Over One Patrick Williams Trade Idea
With the Bucks sliding into a rebuild phase, trade chatter is already circling around the kind of movable contracts that can help a reshaped roster take form. One of the speculative ideas floating around links Chicago to a larger Milwaukee-centered shuffle, with the Bulls framed as a team trying to find a cleaner fit and a more flexible path forward while other teams sort through salary, draft capital and future roster plans.
For Bulls fans, the debate comes down to whether moving on from Patrick Williams in that kind of scenario would be worth the cost. The logic is straightforward enough: Chicago would be trying to clear a contract it has struggled to slot into place while adding a player who might be easier to move later and better suited to what the team wants to look like. Still, the proposal is only one piece of a wider set of hypothetical deals, and the real question is whether the Bulls would actually be willing to take that swing. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls May Be Closing In On A Move Fans Will Debate
Chicagos offseason flexibility has put the Bulls in position to poke around on a move that would make immediate sense on paper, especially with a roster that still needs more shooting. League chatter has pointed to a veteran guard who can help fill that gap, and the fit is easy enough to see for a team with cap room and a clear need for reliable scoring on the perimeter.
The wrinkle is that Chicago is not alone in the pursuit, with Miami and Detroit also in the mix as the Bulls weigh how aggressively to use what remains of their spending power. If the front office does decide to make a push, it would be the kind of signing that says plenty about how the Bulls want to use the rest of their cap space, and why this one could split the fan base before any paperwork is even signed. [Read more 🡒]