The Chicago Bulls may be staring at one of those rare late-summer opportunities that can reshape a roster without a big trade or a splashy signing. Memphis is facing a crunch, and that could put a handful of young players on the move - the kind of situation Chicago has every reason to monitor closely.
That matters because the Bulls still have their final roster spot open, and it’s not hard to see why. With Bryson Graham now steering the front office, keeping flexibility makes sense for a team in rebuild mode. A vacant slot can become useful fast when another club needs help with a deal or has to move money around, and Chicago would be one of the first places teams look.
The Bulls have already been linked to a few names this offseason, too. Bennedict Mathurin was reportedly on their radar for weeks, and Jonathan Kuminga also came up. Whether those talks were serious or simply exploratory, they show a front office that is clearly keeping its options open.
Now the attention shifts to Memphis. On a recent Bleacher Report livestream, Jake Fischer laid out the Grizzlies’ looming decision this way: “They got to cut four of Jordan Hawkins, D’Angelo Russell, Micah Peavy, Walter Clayton Jr., or Kris Murray," Jake Fischer noted on a recent Bleacher Report livestream.
"I believe at this point in time Jordan Hawkins has a chance to stick around. If the Grizzlies do cut Jordan Hawkins, I’m told there are several teams willing to take a chance on the former lottery pick.”
Hawkins has already been part of the Bulls conversation multiple times this summer. That’s not random.
Graham was a high-ranking member of the New Orleans Pelicans front office when Hawkins was drafted there, so there’s at least some history between the decision-maker and the player. If Graham liked him once, it’s fair to wonder whether he still sees something worth betting on.
At the same time, Chicago may have already passed on the easiest path to get him. The Bulls had the open roster spot and the room exception to absorb his full salary, but instead let Memphis work out a deal with New Orleans and came away with Micah Peavy and a future second-round pick.
Peavy is the type of player this front office could circle back to if he gets waived. The No. 40 overall pick in 2025 brings a six-foot-seven frame at the guard spot, which gives him the kind of size that can help on switches and on drives downhill. His shooting also took a big jump in his final year of NCAA basketball, which made him a much more interesting wing prospect.
There are still questions. Peavy is 25 and still has to prove he can score consistently at the NBA level. But for a Bulls team with a roster spot to spend and a need for versatile talent, he fits the profile.
Walter Clayton Jr. would also be worth a hard look if Memphis lets him go. He came out of Florida after helping the Gators win a championship, then entered the league as the No. 18 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. His rookie season turned into a whirlwind: he started with the Utah Jazz, got moved to the Grizzlies in the Jaren Jackson Jr. deal, and still managed to play 69 games while averaging 7.8 points, 4.0 assists, and 2.0 rebounds.
The shooting numbers weren’t pretty. Clayton hit just 38.4 percent from the field and 30.7 percent from three, which stood out especially because his perimeter shot had been such a dependable part of his game in college.
Still, a rough NBA start doesn’t erase the skill set that got him drafted in the first place. If he’s available, there should be interest.
Russell and Murray feel less natural for Chicago. Russell brings a veteran, ball-heavy style that doesn’t line up as cleanly with what the Bulls appear to be building, while Murray would likely struggle to find wing minutes. Hawkins and Clayton Jr., on the other hand, make more sense in a backcourt that could use more shooting.
Memphis does not have to rush. Teams can carry up to 21 players during training camp and preseason, and the Grizzlies are currently at 19.
But if they do start trimming the list, Chicago should be watching. A roster squeeze like this does not come around every day, and the Bulls are in position to take advantage.
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Warriors Could Still Find Shooting Upside In One Intriguing Roster Swing
The Warriors have wrapped up their offseason roster work without making many of the splashy additions that tend to dominate this time of year, which is why even a fringe move is worth watching. One name circulating in that conversation is Walter Clayton Jr., a shooter Golden State could look at if he becomes available after Memphis trims its roster, a scenario that would fit the Warriors continued search for more perimeter punch without requiring a major overhaul.
Clayton was prized in college for the kind of shooting that can change the geometry of a game, and the Curry comparisons followed him long before he reached the NBA. His professional start has been slow, though, and he remains the sort of roster-bubble player whose next step depends as much on opportunity as reputation. For Memphis, the decision point is obvious. For Golden State, the question is whether a young guard with that kind of shot is worth keeping on the radar if the Grizzlies make him available. [Read more 🡒]
Grizzlies Fans Are Getting A Major Change In How They Watch
Grizzlies fans are about to get a different viewing setup for the coming season after Memphis struck a multiyear agreement with DAZN to serve as the teams new local broadcast partner. The change shifts most of the clubs games into a streaming format, with preseason coverage included as part of the new arrangement, while the organization also said season ticket holders will get free access to DAZNs Season Pass.
There is some continuity built into the move, too, which should help ease the transition for longtime viewers. The teams broadcast crew is staying in place, so the familiar voices will still be on the call even as the platform changes, and a portion of games will also remain accessible through free viewing options tied to the app and local over-the-air simulcast. [Read more 🡒]