The preseason is OVER, and now Tiago Splitter has some real decisions to make.
On todayās Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down which Bulls actually earned meaningful regular-season opportunities, who still has work to do, and how this preseason may have changed Chicagoās rotation entering opening night.
The Bulls finished preseason 3-2, closing with a 133-116 win over Minnesota. The finale featured 34 assists, 76 points in the paint and 17 offensive rebounds, giving Chicago several different ways to manufacture offense beyond isolation scoring. Pasted text
The biggest winner?
š„ Leonard Miller.
Across five preseason games, Miller averaged 16.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 62.0% from the field and 55.6% from three. The shooting will come back toward earth, but his scoring efficiency, rebounding and consistent production gave Splitter a legitimate reason to test him with real regular-season minutes. Pasted text
Jordan Hawkins also made a huge late push, finishing the preseason finale with 14 points, four made threes, three assists, two steals and a block. He went 6-for-8 from three across his two appearances, giving Chicago another shooting weapon worth testing. Pasted text
Meanwhile, Jalen Smith averaged 11.0 points and 5.8 rebounds, while Tre Jones totaled 17 assists against only three turnovers in his three appearances. Both reinforced how valuable dependable skills can be around a young roster. Pasted text
We also evaluate Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue, Jaylin Sellers, Tobe Awaka and Patrick Williams, including what each player actually needs to show to earn more opportunities once the games count. Pasted text
And the biggest concern entering opening week?
Defense.
Chicago committed 30 fouls and allowed 40 Minnesota free throws in the preseason finale. With Nic Claxton, Zach Collins, Isaac Okoro and Tobe Awaka all unavailable, we still have not seen Splitterās full defensive rotation. Pasted text
Then we look ahead.
š Who belongs on the Bullsā 2027 watchlist?
- Brice Sensabaugh as a potential affordable scoring wing
- Anthony Black as a big guard with defensive and creation upside
- Karl-Anthony Towns as the major veteran swing if Chicago proves ready to compete
These are conditional possibilities based on contracts and fit, not reports that Chicago is pursuing all three. Pasted text
Anthony Black may be the most intriguing young option. Recent reporting indicates rival executives are wondering whether Orlando could explore a deal if extension talks fail, though another executive expects Orlando to keep him. Black averaged 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists, but his 33.3% three-point shooting remains a key fit question beside Josh Giddey. Pasted text
And KAT?
A rival executive has identified Chicago as one of the teams with a plausible future path based on cap space and fit, but Towns would first need to decline his roughly $61 million player option to become a 2027 free agent. Pasted text
š„ Today on Chicago Bulls Central:
- Who actually earned regular-season minutes
- Leonard Millerās incredible preseason
- Jordan Hawkinsā late shooting surge
- Jalen Smith and Tre Jones proving their value
- What Swain, Noa, Sellers and Awaka still need to show
- Patrick Williamsā place in the rotation battle
- Chicagoās 30-foul defensive problem
- Tiago Splitterās likely opening rotation
- Anthony Blackās contract situation
- Brice Sensabaugh as an affordable scoring target
- What would have to happen for KAT to become realistic
- How Caleb, Matas and the young core should determine Chicagoās future spending
š¬ Who earned the BIGGEST regular-season opportunity, and which 2027 target interests you most: Anthony Black, Sensabaugh or KAT?
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