CHICAGO — Looking at the top Chicago Bulls training camp storylines shows how new head coach Tiago Splitter plans to turn this raw talent into a winning team. Or at least one on the way to becoming that. The Bulls look completely different heading into the new season. The franchise wiped the slate clean this summer, replacing Billy Donovan with Splitter and drafting explosive forward Caleb Wilson with the fourth overall pick.
With media day set for Monday, September 28, and Bulls training camp opening Tuesday, September 29, at the Advocate Center, Chicago is ready to start a fresh chapter. The squad will test its new group quickly before opening the preseason against the Phoenix Suns at the United Center on Wednesday, October 7.
Ending predictable half court basketball is one of the key Bulls training camp storylines
Chicago is done running a fast but predictable offense. Due to the team’s lack of athleticism, Donovan’s teams would often settle for swings behind the arc without movement i.e no dynamic cuts. These didn’t force the defense to bend out of shape so the offense would quickly become predictable. The new front office introduced a simple vision for the roster focused on size, length, athleticism, and physical play. Or SLAP as new Vice President of Basketball Operations, Bryson Graham would say. Draft night brought high-flying rookie Caleb Wilson at No. 4 and defensive guard Dailyn Swain at No. 15 to join a young core built around Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey.
During Bulls training camp scrimmages at the Advocate Center, Splitter must quickly figure out how his expected starting lineup fits together. A group featuring Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, and center Nic Claxton gives Chicago plenty of talent, but Splitter needs to build real chemistry fast. Thankfully for the Brazilian, his rising stars have become close this summer, even seen together with other Chicago Stars at a recent Cubs game to support Pete Crow-Armstrong
Building a no-fly zone at the United Center
Defensively, Chicago finally has the size and speed to protect the paint. At just 21 years old, Buzelis comes off an impressive year where he knocked down 173 three-pointers and blocked 116 shots. Next to him stands 27-year-old center Claxton, who is fully healthy after blocking nearly 200 shots two seasons ago. Alongsidell Wilson, this frontcourt gives Chicago long arms and quick feet to switch onto smaller guards on the perimeter.
Under Donovan, Chicago relied on shooting from five players on the outside. Splitter brings a different mindset. In his head coaching debut in Portland, his team ranked 12th in defense. Because young teams usually take longer to figure out offense, expect Chicago to look much sharper on defense early in the season. We may not see that rawness in scrimmages due to studious editing by the Bulls media team but we will eventually see it in 4k during pre-season games. And that’s okay. And to be expected of a young team going through the growing pains.
Pushing the pace in transition
While the half-court offense comes together, fast breaks will be Chicago’s main engine for scoring points. Splitter played a top-10 fast pace in Portland last season, while Chicago was already the third-fastest team in the league. Combining those habits could mean turning steals and blocks into quick points before the defense sets up.
With rebounders like Claxton, Wilson, and Buzelis grabbing boards and pushing ahead, Josh Giddey can attack open lanes on the run. I anticipate Splitter making fast-break drills a top priority throughout Bulls training camp practice sessions.
Scoring punch and young players learning to pass
Powell comes to Chicago for one main reason, and that is to score the basketball. Fresh off his first All-Star appearance at age 32, Powell gives the team an elite scoring threat. His 38.0% shooting from three-point range forces defenses to stay attached to him on the outside, which opens up wide lanes for young wings to drive.
With veteran Tre Jones backing up Josh Giddey, secondary passing duties will fall on Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson. As both young forwards touch the ball more during scrimmages, their ability to make smart passes on the move will keep the offense running smoothly. Watching this passing growth is one of the most critical Bulls training camp storylines.
Battles for the bench and final roster spots
Rotation battles extend well past the starting five. Former fourth overall pick Patrick Williams faces tough competition for playing time against Buzelis, Wilson, and Swain.
At the same time, players on non-guaranteed Exhibit 9 contracts enter camp fighting for the last few spots on the roster. These high-energy scrimmages will force every bench player to play hard on defense to earn Splitter’s trust. Chicago brought in undrafted guards Houston Mallette, Peter Suder, and Donovan Atwell on non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 training camp deals featuring Exhibit 9 injury protections. Because all three players signed Exhibit 10 deals, they’re eligible for bonuses up to $91K if they play at least 60 games for the Chicago’s G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.
Mallette brings perimeter shooting from Alabama, Suder offers backcourt scoring after averaging 14.8 points per game at Miami of Ohio, and Atwell adds long-range accuracy from Texas Tech. All three players will compete during training camp scrimmages for Chicago’s open two-way slot or a landing spot with Windy City.
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