The Chicago Bulls, for the most part, should be done with their offseason business.
They've done more than enough to keep this team out of the 'relegation zone' of the new Draft Lottery with their additions of Nic Claxton and Norman Powell. They need to spend this season focusing on maximizing and evaluating the talent they currently have on the roster. They'll have decisions to make on the future of Rob Dillingham, Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, Patrick Williams, and Leonard Miller in the near future, and seeing how all of them fit within the shape of the current rebuild is of the utmost importance.
Unless the perfect opportunity presents itself, their 15th roster spot should remain open to allow for some mid-season flexibility in terms of trades and the buyout market.
But if the Memphis Grizzlies' roster crunch ultimately leads to second-year guard Walter Clayton Jr. hitting the open market, as recent speculation indicates, it's worth taking a long look. Clayton has the defensive and perimeter-shooting upside to be a long-term backcourt piece in Chicago, and depending on what direction the Bulls anticipate going with Dillingham's contract, he could provide some insurance at the point guard position.
The Bulls need to seriously consider adding Walter Clayton Jr. with their 15th roster spot if the opportunity presents itself
Coming into the league, Clayton was seen as a high-level competitor, having played a major role on a championship team with Florida and flashing upside as both a scorer and medium-volume creator. He wasn't a lottery pick as a result of his age and lack of high-level athleticism, but he was a more than worthy first-round selection on the part of the Utah Jazz.
But since that time, he's essentially become an afterthought in league circles. He was moved as part of a hefty package for Utah to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr., and there's a real chance he gets pushed off of Memphis's roster after their acquisition of Jordan Hawkins from the New Orleans Pelicans. The Grizzlies currently have 19 players on standard contracts, and that number needs to be reduced to 15 by the start of the regular season.
Clayton didn't have the most productive rookie campaign, averaging 7.8 points, two rebounds, and four assists while shooting 38.4% from the field across 69 games split between Utah and Memphis. But at 6'4" and 195 lbs, he has the long-term defensive upside and the sort of varied scoring game the Bulls should be seeking out in the backcourt as they begin their rebuild.
What the decision would ultimately come down to is a weighing of the long-term developmental upside between him and Dillingham. While Dillingham likely has greater potential to be unlocked as an on-ball creator, his lack of length and physical tools will make him a negative defender at the NBA level for the duration of his career. He also hasn't shown much upside from beyond the arc, which could grant Clayton the edge in terms of their offensive skill sets.
Both pieces wouldn't be able to stay on the roster long-term. Dillingham's team option for the fourth year of his rookie contract is due by Oct. 31, making training camp essentially his only chance to convince Chicago to take on his $8.7 million salary for 2026-27. Clayton, meanwhile, still has three seasons under team control.
Perhaps the Bulls feel confident in their ability to continue to develop Dillingham this season. But if there's any sense they might be willing to move on from him, targeting Clayton after a potential buyout would be the smart move.
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