The Bulls are walking into Summer League with real buzz for the first time in a long time, and tonight’s matchup with the Grizzlies is the kind of stage that can make that buzz feel even louder.
Chicago’s headliners are easy to spot. Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, arrives with the kind of reputation that has already turned heads in Bulls practices, where his versatility and explosiveness have been a talking point.
Dailyn Swain, taken 15th overall, brings a different kind of intrigue after standing out as one of college basketball’s best isolation scorers last season. And then there’s Noa Essengue, the Bulls’ No. 12 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, who is trying to convince this front office he belongs in the long-term picture.
That’s a lot of fresh energy for one roster, and Tiago Splitter will be the one guiding the first couple of games. For a team loaded with new faces, that only adds to the sense that this stretch in Las Vegas is going to be all about discovery.
The Bulls’ starting five for the opener is as unconventional as Summer League gets: Jaylin Sellers, Dailyn Swain, Caleb Wilson, Noa Essengue and Tobe Awaka. There’s no true lead guard in the group and no traditional center either, which is exactly why Summer League can be so entertaining.
Wilson and Essengue should spend time as interchangeable wings, but Wilson is expected to have the ball in his hands more often. Swain, meanwhile, is likely to handle a lot of the initiation and bring the ball up the floor, which matches what he and Splitter made clear earlier this week.
Awaka may be one of the smallest players on the floor, but he brings a reputation for pounding the glass. The Arizona big man plays with force, and his length around him should help on the defensive end.
Memphis counters with Javon Small, Cedric Coward, Oliver-Maxence Prosper, Cameron Boozer and Carson Cooper. That’s a useful early test for Chicago’s rookies.
Coward brings downhill aggression. Prosper gives them a long wing with a high motor and real NBA experience.
And then there’s Cameron Boozer, who has already looked polished on the Summer League stage.
Boozer and Wilson have been linked for a while now, and for good reason. They were debated heavily as the No. 3 and No. 4 picks in this year’s draft before Boozer emerged as the clear frontrunner, largely because of his high-IQ game.
Wilson’s case has always been built around raw athleticism, and some people still see him as the better prospect. Tonight gives both players another chance to make their case.
The last time they matched up, the numbers were nearly identical. Wilson scored 23 points for the Tar Heels on 8-12 shooting.
Boozer answered with 24 points on 10-21 shooting and added 11 rebounds. Wilson’s team won that night, and Boozer should have some extra motivation because of it.
At the same time, Wilson hasn’t played since the end of February, so there’s a good chance he comes out with plenty of energy.
The setting should match the hype. The Thomas & Mack Center is expected to be packed, and this one has the feel of a real showcase game for Chicago’s new core.
As for the result, the lean here is Memphis. The Grizzlies have a little more experience in the starting group, and Boozer already has a game under his belt. Still, this should be tight if the starters stay on the floor, because Wilson and Swain both play with relentless effort, and the Bulls have enough streaky shooting to flip things fast if someone catches fire.
In Other News...
Cedric Coward Has One Hurdle Left Before A Massive Grizzlies Leap
Cedric Coward already gave the Grizzlies plenty to like in his first NBA season after Memphis took him 11th overall in the 2025 draft. He put together a strong rookie year, earned All-Rookie First Team honors and showed enough across 62 games to suggest the franchise may have found a long-term piece on the wing.
Now Coward is back in Summer League, where the early returns have been encouraging. His added strength and defensive activity stand out, and the Grizzlies can see the outline of a valuable two-way player who fits their timeline, even if there is still a part of his offensive game that will determine just how high his ceiling can go. [Read more 🡒]