The Chicago Bulls officially announced their 2026-27 training camp roster on Friday, setting the stage for a key preseason. The roster blends promising young players like Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis with established veterans, creating a blend of excitement and unanswered questions for head coach Tiago Splitter.
Buzelis made headlines this summer by stating he added 12 pounds of muscle. He talked about his refined midrange game on a popular podcast. But the team's official press release still lists him at 196 pounds, the same weight as last year. Bulls fans are now waiting to see if his physical transformation is real. His performance in camp will need to match his confident offseason declarations.
The integration of players like Josh Giddey and Nic Claxton into the lineup is a major focus. Giddey's playmaking will be key for a reshuffled starting group. Figuring out these combinations is job one for the coaching staff.
Five players are in camp on non-guaranteed deals: Brandon Boston Jr., Peter Suder, Drew Peterson, Orlando Robinson, and Marquel Sutton. Boston Jr. has a previous connection to Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham from New Orleans. He'll fight for a wing spot. The others face an uphill battle to impress. Their performance in scrimmages could shape the end of the bench.
Players from prior front office regimes, like Noa Essengue and Rob Dillingham, need to find roles. First-round pick Dailyn Swain aims to bounce back after a challenging Summer League. The development of Caleb Wilson alongside Buzelis is another storyline to track closely. These young players represent the franchise's future, and camp is their first big test. The team's direction can be seen in our updated roster page.
The Bulls' final stretch last season was inconsistent. After beating Washington twice, they fell to Phoenix and Orlando before the big loss in Dallas. Training camp is the first step to ensuring those kinds of defensive lapses don't define the new season. Every drill and scrimmage carries weight for a team eager to turn the page.
