The Bulls spent eight games waiting on Nic Claxton, and the payoff has been immediate. Chicago’s offseason swing for the 27-year-old big is starting to look like the kind of move that can shape how this team wants to play, giving the Bulls a dependable interior presence to pair with franchise player Caleb Wilson.
What Claxton has brought in his first two appearances goes beyond simply filling a hole. Chicago suddenly has a clear strength to lean on with Claxton, Jalen Smith, and Wilson forming a balanced frontcourt group once Wilson is healthy again. Smith and Wilson kept things afloat while Claxton was sidelined, but the Bulls’ lack of true interior depth still showed up in the paint and on the glass.
Claxton has already helped clean up a lot of that. He’s also added value as a screener and playmaker, giving the offense more structure and flow.
Before he debuted, Chicago sat No. 28 in the NBA in offensive rating at 105.9 and No. 18 in scoring at 111.6 points per game. Since then, the Bulls put up 121 points against the Philadelphia 76ers and 119 against the San Antonio Spurs, two teams that rank in the top 10 in defensive rating.
His impact has been visible right away. Chicago has posted its second-best offensive rating with Claxton on the floor.
The numbers from his first two games tell the story. In his Bulls debut, Claxton finished with four points, four rebounds, four assists, one offensive rebound and two blocks in 18 minutes. He was active on the glass and constantly involved offensively through screens, handoffs and sharp passing.
He followed that up with a much bigger night, scoring 17 points with six rebounds, three offensive boards, one assist and a block in 16 minutes. He went 5-of-6 from the field and 7-of-9 at the free throw line.
Those two outings showed how Claxton can make an impact inside no matter who’s across from him. Most of his minutes came against reserves, but he also held up against Joel Embiid and Victor Wembanyama with his energy, skill and athleticism.
That matters because the Bulls now have a frontcourt trio that can actually carry a night. Wilson has been the headliner, averaging 18.9 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.9 blocks, 2.3 three-point field goals made and 1.7 offensive rebounds per game. He’s been a steady scorer and a force defensively, bringing the kind of intensity Chicago needs.
Smith has done his part too, squeezing every bit out of his minutes. He’s averaging 12.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 offensive rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 blocks and 1.8 three-point field goals made in 24.0 minutes per game while shooting .533/.367/.750. Per 36 minutes, those numbers jump to 19.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.3 offensive boards, 2.8 assists, 1.6 blocks and 2.7 made threes.
Put it all together, and the Bulls have something they can trust. Claxton, Smith and Wilson give Chicago a rotation of bigs that can produce, defend and keep the team steady from either the 4 or 5 spot. It may not fix everything overnight, but it gives the Bulls a real base to build on.
In Other News...
Bulls Finally Showed The Edge Fans Needed Before This Road Trip
The Bulls walked into a tricky spot and finally played like a team determined to stop the slide, ending an eight-game losing streak with a 125-117 overtime win over the Hawks. Norman Powell led the way with 33 points, and Chicago got enough from several others to turn a tense game into the kind of response it badly needed before heading out on the road.
Josh Giddey was a major part of the push, stuffing the box score and helping steady the offense when the game tightened late. For a team that had been searching for some edge, the bigger takeaway was less about one hot night and more about the way the Bulls carried themselves when the pressure rose, a sign they may have found something worth taking with them beyond Atlanta. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Finally End Skid But Jalen Smith Leaves A New Concern
The Bulls finally got a much-needed result in NBA Cup group play, snapping an eight-game losing streak with a 125-117 overtime win over the Hawks. It was the kind of game Chicago had to have just to steady itself, and it came at a time when every possession has carried a little extra weight as the schedule keeps moving.
Late in overtime, though, the night took on a different tone when Hawks big man Jalen Smith suffered a wrist injury and headed to the locker room. The Bulls will turn right back to work with games coming against the Timberwolves, Cavaliers and Nets, but the bigger question out of this one is whether Atlanta will be dealing with another injury concern after a hard-fought finish. [Read more 🡒]
Buddy Hield Just Gave The Bulls A Rare Reason To Smile
Buddy Hield has given the Bulls a small but notable bright spot during an otherwise rough stretch. The veteran guard, acquired before the season in a three-way trade, has spent much of his early Chicago tenure trying to settle in, but his place in NBA history is a reminder of the shooting pedigree he brings to a roster that can use any lift it can get right now.
Chicago is in the middle of an eight-game losing streak and facing Atlanta in NBA Cup group play, so the timing of Hields milestone offers at least a little perspective amid the frustration. He has played eight games this season and is averaging 5.8 points per game, but even in a difficult start for the Bulls, his climb up the all-time 3-point list is the kind of accomplishment that stands out. [Read more 🡒]