Josh Giddey says the Bulls are about to give him something he hasn’t had much of before: a real chance to work the lob game.
That’s a big part of the picture in Chicago this season, where the front office added a wave of length and bounce. Caleb Wilson was drafted to headline a group of aerial targets that also includes Matas Buzelis, Nic Claxton and Noa Essengue, and Giddey is already thinking about the easy points that can come with that kind of roster.
“All these bigs I’ve played with have been really good in their own ways, but it’s been good to have a different look where that gives me the ability to put the ball near the rim and have guys go get it,” Giddey said. “Whether it’s wings or our fives, we’ve got guys that can catch lobs all around. I’ve got to get better at throwing them, but I think it’s going to be good to have guys that I can kind of put it anywhere around the cylinder and they’ll go take care of the rest.”
The Bulls didn’t just add size. They also brought in shooting, landing Norman Powell and Buddy Hield in moves that should give the offense a different edge. With so many new pieces in place, Giddey is expected to be the on-court organizer, the player responsible for tying all of it together while head coach Tiago Splitter shapes his vision.
“I think he has a lot of guys that can score around him, so he knows that,” Splitter said of Giddey. “He’s thinking about the game, he’s smart about it, and hopefully game-by-game our vision starts to get a little more clear and he can help this team to be effective.”
Health-wise, Chicago is still waiting on Claxton, who is working back from a hamstring injury and may be the lone player not ready for opening night. He was doing light jogging at Friday’s shootaround, but the Bulls are taking the long view with him.
“Every day he does something else and more aggressive,” Splitter said. “But - I’m not going to stop repeating this - this is a very dangerous injury.
The chances of redoing it are big. So we’ve got to be careful.”
Splitter also said backup center Zach Collins, who has been dealing with a quad injury, has been cleared for full contact.
There was also a positive impression forming around Wilson during his first NBA preseason. Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune reported that the Bulls have liked the way he has handled the spotlight, and Wilson has been candid about both the good and the bad as he learns on the fly.
“It’s never felt like it’s too much,” he said. “The best players to ever play had a rough start to their career, and my start isn’t even rough.
I feel like I’m doing great out there. I just go out there and learn.
I’m a rookie. I’m going against competition I haven’t faced before and I’m being asked to do stuff that I haven’t been asked for before.
I expect there to be mistakes and I should give myself grace to play.”
Leonard Miller, acquired from Minnesota in February, also made it clear he sees Chicago as more than a stopover. “I love it here,” Miller said. “I feel like the time since I’ve been here after I got traded has been amazing.”
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 🡒]
Derrick Rose Just Gave Bulls Fans A Powerful Reminder
The Bulls had more than a preseason game to think about at the United Center, where Derrick Rose made an appearance and reminded everyone how much he still means to this franchise. The former MVP and Chicago native has stayed connected to the organization, and his presence around the team carried the kind of weight that only comes from years of shared history and a city that never really stopped claiming him as one of its own.
Rose also spent time around training and crossed paths with Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain, another sign that his bond with the Bulls is still active, not just sentimental. With Chicago now turning its attention toward the regular season opener against the Toronto Raptors on October 21, moments like this add a little extra texture to camp, especially when they come from a player whose connection to the team still resonates this strongly. [Read more 🡒]