The Chicago Bulls are deeper and arguably more talented on the wing than at any other position on the 2025-26 roster. But Julian Phillips reminded everyone during the preseason that he can give the team something no other player does, and that he may mean the difference between another mediocre Play-In Tournament run and the Bulls' best season since 2021-22.
As it stands, Phillips is buried on the depth chart. Matas Buzelis has superstar written all over him. Isaac Okoro came to Chicago to play defense, and he does it better than anyone else. Patrick Williams is still a rotation player, even if his minutes will drop. Kevin Huerter is a steady hand as a spot-up shooter and an underrated playmaker. Ayo Dosunmu needs to see the floor as often as possible. Dalen Terry is proving he's ready for an expanded role.
But don't sleep on Phillips.
Julian Phillips can become the Bulls missing piece
Phillips was the 35th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but has yet to nail down a role to this point in his NBA career. Across 119 games over two seasons, the former Tennessee Volunteer has averages of 3.8 points and 1.7 rebounds in 12.2 minutes per contest. But that production, or perhaps lack thereof, belies his upside and what he could become in Chicago.
As a 6-foot-8 lanky wing with a massive 7-foot-1 wingspan and elite athleticism, Phillips gives the Bulls a different kind of profile. Buzelis is also an explosive athlete, but with a wingspan three inches shorter. Okoro is stronger than Phillips, but can't smother opposing ballhandlers with the same everlasting limbs. Noa Essengue is a unique athlete, but not as violent in his movements. Terry has a similar body type, but again, doesn't possess the same supreme explosiveness.
For a team that wants to wreak havoc defensively and turn that chaos into easy transition baskets, Phillips's ball-stopper potential and ability to out-run and out-jump everyone on the floor are indispensable traits.
Those tangibles haven't turned into production yet, but there are signs of growth from a player who has yet to turn 22 years old. He was better in every statistical category during his second pro campaign, and most importantly, he was a more efficient scorer despite seeing an uptick in attempts.
But if he got better from year one to year two, he appears primed and ready to take a more significant leap in year three.
Phillips only played in two preseason games, but the Bulls' final exhibition contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves was a display of what he can eventually become. In 22 minutes, Phillips scored 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the field and 6-for-6 from the free-throw line. He also added six rebounds.
Phillips needs to be more aggressive in hunting his own shot. He needs to improve his 3-point accuracy. He can stand to become a more intelligent player on both ends of the floor. But he is one of, if not the, Bulls' best athletes, and that length, bounce and aggressiveness will carry him until he becomes a more complete basketball player. Chicago only has three players on its roster younger than Phillips, and two of them are rookies (Essengue and Lachlan Olbrich).
If he takes a jump from developmental prospect to legitimate rotation piece this season, Phillips will give the Bulls a dimension they're currently missing and could prove to be the difference on a potential playoff team.