The Bulls wrapped up their preseason Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves at the United Center, and while Caleb Wilson drew plenty of attention on the floor, Derrick Rose ended up being the most recognizable face in the building without logging a minute.
Rose was seated courtside to watch his former team, and fans responded the way Chicago usually does when one of its own comes home. The reception fit a player who has stayed woven into the fabric of the franchise long after his playing days in a Bulls uniform.
A Chicago native, Rose was taken No. 1 overall by his hometown team in the 2008 NBA Draft. He won Rookie of the Year in 2009, then took home NBA MVP honors two years later while helping push the Bulls into the playoffs and all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.
His place in franchise history is already secured. In January, Rose’s jersey went up in the rafters at the United Center, joining Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Bob Love and Jerry Sloan.
Derrick Rose is in the building for some Bulls-Timberwolves preseason action 🌹
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 17, 2026
(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/ok0ajbyIyb
Rose also remains a visible part of the organization. He was present at training and spent time with Wilson and Dailyn Swain. Wilson, viewed as a Rookie of the Year favorite, is expected to carry a major share of the load as Chicago looks to rebuild for the long haul - a kind of burden that echoes what Rose once shouldered when he first arrived.
The Bulls open the regular season on the road against the Toronto Raptors on October 21 before returning home to face the Washington Wizards on October 24. Rose’s visit on Friday is not expected to be his last.
In Other News...
Caleb Wilson Is Forcing A Bulls Question Tiago Splitter Can't Ignore
The Bulls closed their preseason with a 133-116 win over Minnesota, and Caleb Wilson gave them one more reminder that his rise is becoming part of the conversation in Chicago. The rookie was active from the start, scoring efficiently, helping on the glass and making plays as a passer and defender in a game that showcased why the organization is already taking a long look at what he can become.
Tiago Splitter praised Wilsons development afterward and made clear how central the young forward is to the teams future, but he also flagged the bigger challenge sitting ahead of this group. Wilson can supply energy and production in a hurry, yet the Bulls still have to build an offense that doesnt lean too heavily on one newcomer, even one with star potential. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Still Waiting On A Frontcourt Piece They Really Need
The Bulls are still waiting for Nic Claxton to join the frontcourt group they envisioned when they brought him in, and the hold-up has stretched into preseason. Claxton has been out because of a hamstring injury, leaving Jalen Smith to handle the big-man minutes in his place while Chicago keeps piecing together its interior rotation.
There is at least some movement on the injury front elsewhere, with Zach Collins, Issac Okoro and Tobe Awaka all reportedly improving. The broader outlook around those sidelined players looks better, which only sharpens the focus on Claxton as the one big man the Bulls are still missing most, and the one whose return remains the most important unresolved piece. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Just Created A Roster Question Fans Will Be Watching
After wrapping up the preseason, the Bulls moved on from four players as they trimmed the roster, parting ways with Brandon Boston Jr., Drew Peterson, Jalen Bridges and Orlando Robinson. Each had gotten at least three exhibition appearances to make a case, and Robinson was the most productive of the group, but Chicago still had to make the hard call as the regular season approached.
What stands out now is the way the roster is being managed from here. The Bulls are carrying 14 players on guaranteed contracts and are planning to leave the 15th spot open for flexibility, a move that keeps the front offices options open as the season unfolds. For the players waived, the next stop could be the Windy City Bulls in the G League, which would keep them in the organization while Chicago watches how the final spot shapes up. [Read more 🡒]