The Bulls’ national spotlight got a little brighter this week.
When Chicago’s schedule first came out last month, the NBA didn’t exactly shower the rebuilt roster with prime exposure. Tiago Splitter’s team was listed for just three nationally televised games, with none on Amazon Prime and only one each on ESPN, Peacock and NBC. That NBC appearance will also be the Bulls’ first on the network since it returned to airing games ahead of the 2025-26 season.
The league’s initial call wasn’t hard to understand. Chicago is in rebuild mode, and expectations outside the building are modest. But there’s a different argument to make here: this team could be a lot more entertaining than people think.
Caleb Wilson is a big part of that case after his eye-opening Summer League run. Matas Buzelis is coming off a strong Year 2 and could push into the Most Improved Player conversation.
Josh Giddey brings transition playmaking, Norman Powell adds sparkplug shooting, and Dailyn Swain carries real upside. That’s enough firepower to make the Bulls worth a closer look.
Now they’ve picked up two more chances to prove it.
NBA TV released its full schedule this past week and added two more Chicago games to the national slate. The first comes on December 3, when the Cavaliers visit the United Center. The second is set for January 23, 2027, when Jaylen Brown and LeBron James’ 76ers come to town.
That still leaves the Bulls with five nationally televised games, which feels light for a team with Wilson in the mix. But it’s also an opening. Networks can and do move games around as the season unfolds, and Chicago has a shot to play its way into even more attention.
There’s also movement on the broadcast side as the Bulls prepare for life after Stacey King.
Jeff Agrest of the Chicago Sun-Times reported more details on how the team plans to handle the color commentary role for now. Previous reporting had already indicated the Bulls would use a rotating group in the booth, but the names were still unknown until now.
According to Agrest, Robbie Hummel, Scott Williams, Kendall Gill and Will Perdue will rotate through the spot. Hummel has built a strong following through his work in college basketball, while Williams, Gill and Perdue are all former Bulls with varying levels of broadcast experience.
Replacing King is going to be a massive challenge. The Bulls appear to be taking the smart route by not rushing the decision and by leaning on some familiar voices while fans adjust to a new era in the booth.
In Other News...
Matas Buzelis Just Got A New Bar For His Bulls Future
Amen Thompsons rise in Houston has created a new measuring stick for young wings around the league, and the Bulls have a direct reason to pay attention. After a breakout 2025-26 season that saw Thompson post 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game, the Rockets rewarded him with a massive new extension, underscoring how quickly a versatile two-way player can climb into max-level territory.
For Chicago, the relevance goes beyond the dollar figure. Matas Buzelis is heading toward the same kind of long-term decision window, and Thompsons season offers a clear benchmark for what the Bulls will be weighing when that time comes. If Buzelis keeps trending upward, the comparison will only get louder, because the bar for a young frontcourt cornerstone just moved. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Final Roster Spot Could Solve A Backcourt Concern
Chicago has spent the offseason reshaping its roster around a blend of youth and experience, with executive vice president Bryson Graham continuing to mix long-term bets with veterans who can help right away. One area still worth watching is the backcourt, where the Bulls do not have a lot of extra bodies once the main rotation starts to take shape.
Veteran guard Victor Oladipo is among the names being floated as a possible answer, and he is still seeking a way back into the league after not playing since the 2022-23 season. Oladipo has said he believes he can still contribute, which is why a final roster spot in Chicago could become more than a placeholder if the Bulls decide they want another proven guard in the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Could Benefit From Boston's Next Costly Backcourt Decision
Bostons roster shuffle has already changed the shape of its long-term books after dealing Jaylen Brown for Paul George, and the ripple effects could eventually open a lane for Chicago. For a Bulls team still sorting out the right backcourt mix around Josh Giddey, Payton Pritchard stands out as the kind of guard who could fit a little cleaner than the usual options: steady, smart, and capable of working without needing the ball all the time.
The bigger question is whether Boston lets that chance even get to the market. Pritchard is on a path toward a contract crossroads next fall, and the Celtics may have to decide whether he remains part of their future or becomes a moveable piece in a tighter cap picture. If Chicago is still hunting for a better guard pairing, especially if Norman Powell is moved, Pritchard is the sort of name that could suddenly make a lot of sense. [Read more 🡒]