Donovan Atwell’s decision to head back to college changes the picture a bit for the Chicago Bulls, and it gives Jaylin Sellers a cleaner lane to carve out a role.
Chicago’s 2026-27 outlook already has plenty of the obvious headlines. Caleb Wilson and Daily Swain are set to launch their rookie seasons.
Matas Buzelis is moving into the penultimate year of his rookie deal and is expected to make a jump. Norman Powell and Nic Claxton also carry real pressure as veteran pieces in the mix.
Still, the roster isn’t locked tight, and that leaves some room for a newcomer to sneak into the conversation.
Sellers, signed by the Bulls as an undrafted free agent this offseason, is one of those names.
Atwell looked like a legitimate candidate to stick after a strong finish in Summer League. The 6'5" guard opened slowly in Las Vegas, but his last three games turned heads.
He scored 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting against the Washington Wizards, then followed that with 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers. During that stretch, he showed a dependable outside shot and some promise as an on-ball defender.
Even so, the path changed when Atwell opted to return to Texas Tech for another season. The NCAA’s decision to grant an extra year of eligibility to players in the 2022 recruiting class made that move possible, and it also leaves Chicago with an open two-way spot.
That’s where Sellers comes in.
Across five Summer League appearances, Sellers averaged 15.6 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. The shooting numbers weren’t clean - he hit just 23.7% of his 3-pointers and 39.3% of his field goals - but he brought pace, confidence, and a willingness to push the ball in transition. That kind of energy can matter, especially for a team looking for spark minutes off the bench.
He also brings a different defensive profile than Atwell. At 6'5" and 206 pounds, Sellers has the size and movement skills to grow into a useful perimeter defender at the NBA level.
He’s not stepping into a wide-open backcourt. Josh Giddey and Powell are expected to start, while Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, and Dailyn Swain will soak up much of the wing bench work. But if Sellers can prove he belongs early, Chicago could have a real two-way contributor on its hands in his rookie season.
Atwell’s choice removes one appealing option from the board. For Sellers, it may have opened the door.
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Patrick Williams stands out on the expensive side of that ledger, with a sizable contract and limited playing time making his deal hard to overlook. On the other end, Tre Jones has emerged as one of the more appealing bargains on the roster, producing efficiently while earning far less than his impact might suggest, and that contrast says plenty about the kind of decisions Chicago will keep facing as the rebuild moves forward. [Read more 🡒]
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Matas Buzelis Sounds Ready For Any Spotlight The Bulls Throw At Him
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He also showed he is not backing away from the spotlight that comes with being outspoken. Buzelis revisited a March game against Luka Doncic, when a back-and-forth with the Dallas star helped turn the night into a showcase for Doncic, who erupted for 51 points. Even after that lesson, Buzelis made it clear he plans to keep testing Doncic the next time their paths cross, which should make their next matchup worth keeping an eye on. [Read more 🡒]