Without a tally of splashy moves this summer, the Bulls will have to lean on internal improvement if they hope to make the playoffs for the first time in four years. They'll quickly discover just how much growth their key players have made with a grueling start to the 2025-26 NBA season.
You can view the Bulls' entire 2025-26 schedule here.
Chicago acquired Isaac Okoro from Cleveland in a trade that sent Lonzo Ball to the Cavaliers. The Bulls re-signed backup point guard Tre Jones and drafted 18-year-old French forward Noa Essengue with the No. 12 pick in the draft. Summer league hero Yuki Kawamura was added on a two-way deal.
There must be legitimate development from second-year forward Matas Buzelis, a strong follow-up campaign from Coby White, a (mostly) injury-free season from Ayo Dosunmu, and, maybe, some evolution from young role players like Dalen Terry, Julian Phillips -- and, dare we say, Patrick Williams?
That group will be thrown straight into the fire on opening night.
The Chicago Bulls have a brutal start to the 2025-26 NBA season
Chicago kicks off the year by playing seven times against teams that made the playoffs last season in the first 11 games. The Bulls' four contests that aren't against playoff teams feature two squads that made the play-in, one that has Victor Wembanyama, and one would-be Eastern Conference powerhouse looking to rebound in a significant way.
Opening night brings the Detroit Pistons, who finished sixth in the East last season, to the United Center. The Pistons made the playoffs for the first time since 2018-19 and pushed the New York Knicks, who were one game away from a spot in the NBA Finals, to six games. Guard Jaden Ivey returns from a leg injury to join Cade Cunningham, Ausar Thompson and Jalen Duren on a roster loaded with young talent.
Three nights later comes a trip to Orlando to face another rising Eastern Conference contender. The Magic made one of the biggest trades of the offseason, acquiring Desmond Bane from the Memphis Grizzlies to space the floor next to 22-year-old all-star Paolo Banchero.
The Bulls then return to Chicago to face a fellow play-in mainstay in the Atlanta Hawks. Two nights later comes a reunion with Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and the Sacramento Kings, another play-in team from last season.
A home-and-home with the Knicks follows before an interesting matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers, whose high hopes last year were crushed by injuries. The Sixers still boast elite talent, though, with Paul George, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks await three days later before the Bulls face the Cavs, who finished with the best record in the East last season, in Cleveland.
Fans will get a glimpse of the NBA's future as Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs come to Chicago on Nov. 10 before the Bulls close out their opening three weeks with another game against the Pistons, this time in the Motor City.
Head coach Billy Donovan will find out quickly how much Buzelis, White, Josh Giddey (presumably) and his young group have improved since a successful end to last season. If the Bulls have a chance at making the playoffs for the first time since 2021-22, they'll need to prove they're ready right from the opening tip on Oct. 22.