2026-27 Season Preview: Chicago Bulls

The Bulls added young, exciting wings to bring more energy this upcoming season.

Offseason Recap

•

Last Season

: 31-51 (12th in East, missed postseason)

• Key Additions

: Nic Claxton, Norman Powell, Dailyn Swain, Caleb Wilson

Every Bulls move this offseason

Season Outlook

Following a 31-51 season and a fourth straight year without a playoff appearance, the Bulls enter a season of change in 2026-27. There is new leadership in the front office in Bryson Graham, a new voice on the sidelines in head coach Tiago Splitter, and a new potential franchise player in No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson.

Wilson will lead a youth movement in Chicago, playing alongside Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Rob Dillingham, who are all 23 or younger. To balance the roster with proven veterans, the Bulls signed guard Norman Powell coming off an All-Star season with Miami, and acquired center Nic Claxton from Brooklyn.

Whether or not the Bulls snap their postseason drought this season will come down to the continued development of their young core and how quickly Wilson can make an impact following his lone collegiate season at North Carolina. He made a strong first impression at

Las Vegas Summer League

, but the real test begins in October.

Breakout Candidate: Matas Buzelis

Buzelis made significant strides from Year 1 to Year 2 in the NBA, becoming a full-time starter for the Bulls and nearly doubling his production from his rookie season across the board.

He averaged 16.3 points on 46.3% shooting, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 2.2 3-pointers in 29.2 minutes per game, while adding to his highlight reel with explosive above-the-rim finishes, including a poster dunk that finished No. 14 (matching his jersey number) on the NBA’s top 100 plays of the 2025-26 season.

The 2024 lottery pick showed flashes of his potential with seven 25-plus point performances, including a career-best 41-point outing against Golden State that included a clutch 3-pointer in an overtime win. With the additions of Powell and Wilson, will more driving lanes open up for Buzelis to attack this season?

In addition to his offense, Buzelis finished 10th in the NBA in blocks last season, utilizing his length and athleticism to disrupt shots all over the court. With the addition of Claxton, who brings a career 1.6 blocks per game average to Chicago, can the Bulls improve on their 22nd-ranked defense from last season?

1 Number To Know

3.6

— Last season, the Bulls averaged 3.6 fewer shot opportunities (field goal attempts or trips to the line) than their opponents. That was the league’s third-worst discrepancy.

The Bulls were good on the defensive glass, but they were one of two teams (the Wizards were the other) that ranked in the bottom 10 in turnover ratio, opponent turnover ratio and offensive rebounding percentage. They really struggled (or didn’t care) to create extra possessions.

With a bigger frontline (Wilson likely starting at the 3), they could be better on the glass this season. But they could remain near the bottom of the league in regard to forcing turnovers. Powell averaged just 2.2 deflections per 36 minutes (below the league average) and Splitter’s Portland Trail Blazers were one of the league’s least aggressive teams when it came to pick-and-roll defense.

5 Must-See Matchups

Oct. 24: Wizards vs. Bulls

— Wilson makes his home debut as the Bulls host AJ Dybantsa and the Wizards in a clash of two of the top four picks in the

2026 NBA Draft

. Chicago looks to extend a five-game win streak against Washington.

Dec. 16: Jazz vs. Bulls

— Another clash of top-four picks in this year’s highly touted draft class as Wilson and the Bulls host No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson and the Jazz in their first meeting on the NBA stage.

Dec. 21: Bulls vs. Heat

— Powell returns to Miami for the first time since signing with Chicago as the Bulls take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the new-look Heat in the second of three matchups in a 10-day span.

Feb. 14: Bulls vs. Blazers

— The Bulls will spend Valentine’s Day in the Rose City for Splitter’s first return to Portland since leading the Blazers to a 42-40 record and a playoff berth as interim head coach last season.

Mar. 13: Grizzlies vs. Bulls

— With the Rookie of the Year race in full swing by mid-March, intrigue surrounds this showdown of top-four picks as Wilson hosts No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and the Grizzlies.

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Complete Regular Season Schedule

Preseason Storylines

The preseason will offer a first look at Chicago’s new additions — from Splitter leading the team on the sidelines, to Wilson’s first action since Summer League, Powell adjusting to a new team for the second straight season, and Claxton stepping in as the team’s new anchor at center.

How will returning players like Buzelis (entering his third NBA season) and Josh Giddey (entering his third season in Chicago) adjust to Splitter after playing for Billy Donovan the past two-plus seasons? And how quickly will the projected starting lineup of Giddey, Powell, Buzelis, Wilson and Claxton come together on the court?

Complete Preseason Schedule