The Chicago Bulls open their 2026-27 season on October 21 in Toronto, building on a preseason that saw them win three of five games, including a 133-116 victory over Minnesota on October 16. This campaign marks a full reset under new front office boss Bryson Graham and head coach Tiago Splitter, with the development of rookie Caleb Wilson the central story.
Expectations are realistic. Bryson Graham, who took over in May after stints in Atlanta and New Orleans, has stated the Bulls are "at the ground floor." The focus is squarely on growth, particularly for young players like Wilson and fellow first-round pick Dailyn Swain. A major area for improvement is defense. Chicago allowed 121.5 points per game last season, ranking 28th in the NBA. Any progress there would signal a step forward.
Tiago Splitter, the 41-year-old former NBA center, gets his first full-time head coaching job after a successful interim stint in Portland. He guided the Trail Blazers to a 42-40 record last year. His task is to establish a new culture and system for a team that finished 31-51 and missed the playoffs.
All eyes are on Caleb Wilson. The 6-foot-10 forward, selected fourth overall after the Bulls moved up in the lottery, turned 20 in July. He averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds in 24 games at North Carolina before injuries cut his season short. With his athleticism and improving jumper, he's a leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. He is the team's most important player.
The Bulls made significant veteran additions to support him. Norman Powell, 33, signed a two-year deal worth up to $45 million. He's coming off an All-Star season where he averaged 21.7 points for Miami and is a career 39.6% shooter from three-point range. Buddy Hield, acquired in a late-September trade, brings another elite shooting threat at 39.5% from deep for his career. Their job is to create space for Wilson and second-year forward Matas Buzelis.
The potential of the young core, led by Wilson and Swain, is the primary strength. Wilson's two-way upside and Powell's proven scoring provide a foundation. The preseason offered glimpses of offensive firepower, with the team scoring 125 points or more in three of their five contests, including wins over Milwaukee and Phoenix.
Depth, especially in the frontcourt, is a serious concern. Center Nic Claxton, acquired from Brooklyn, was slowed by a hamstring issue in camp. Zach Collins has struggled with injuries since arriving in a 2025 trade. If either misses significant time, the Bulls' interior defense and rebounding could be exposed.
The journey begins on the road against the Toronto Raptors on October 21. The preseason results, including that 133-116 win over Minnesota, showed offensive promise but the real test starts now. Progress this season will be measured less by wins and losses and more by the development of Wilson and the establishment of Splitter's system. Fans can track the team's progress and view the full schedule on our schedule page.
