The Chicago Bulls' depth chart couldn't look more different than last year's, and it's clear executive VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham has a type: Long, versatile, two-way athletes who can play positionless basketball.
Graham made North Carolina star Caleb Wilson the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Wilson is a 6-foot-10, massively explosive forward who should dominate at the rim but can also grab-and-go and lead a fast break.
He added Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 pick, another long athlete who can play both ends of the floor. The Bulls believe the 6-foot-7 Swain can stick at guard and give them another jumbo playmaker. That would open a host of tantalizing possibilities for the future.
Then there's Nic Claxton, who will be a significant upgrade at center. Graham added veteran guard Norman Powell to space the floor.
And don't forget about Matas Buzelis.
This is the kind of progress fans have been thirsting for. Let's look at a position-by-position breakdown.
Point guard
Early projection: Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Rob Dillingham
Giddey is the clear starter here, and this year's roster should allow him to play more to his strengths. Having lob threats like Wilson, Buzelis and Claxton are ideal partners for the 6-foot-7 floor general who's more comfortable as a playmaker than as a scorer.
Claxton and Wilson should also help Giddey thrive in pick-and-roll situations and on defense.
Jones is one of the most underrated backup point guards in the league. He's steady and efficient whenever he's on the floor.
Dillingham, who was acquired in the Ayo Dosunmu trade at last season's trade deadline, may need to get comfortable on the end of the bench already.
Shooting guard
Early projection: Norman Powell, Dailyn Swain
It will be interesting to see how new head coach Tiago Splitter manages minutes at this spot; the Bulls don't have much depth in the way of "true" shooting guards.
Powell is the clear starter and should get most of the playing time when he's healthy. How Splitter deploys Swain will be the thing to watch. If the team really does see the 20-year-old Texas product as a guard despite his wing-like size, he should see most of his minutes here.
Jones and Giddey can both play off the ball in certain lineups, although it's not their natural role.
Small forward
Early projection: Matas Buzelis, Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue
Buzelis should own this position. With the guard-heavy roster Chicago had last season, the 21-year-old was forced to play out of position at the four spot, but he's much more comfortable on the wing.
Buzelis is a thin 6-foot-10 who's built to defend on the perimeter, not in the post. He grew as a 3-point shooter last season, which bodes well for his future here. He's locked in next to Wilson as a franchise cornerstone.
Essengue is returning from a shoulder injury that essentially gave him a redshirt rookie season, but he deserves real developmental minutes this year and is another long, versatile player who can play multiple positions.
Power forward
Early projection: Caleb Wilson, Jalen Smith, Noa Essengue, Leonard Miller
Buzelis is entrenched as the Bulls' small forward, and Wilson should be the same at the four. He is built to create mismatches. Giddey should make his life easy while he gets his NBA feet under him.
Smith is often overlooked but is a steady stretch big who's a positive contributor when he's on the floor. He should provide a veteran presence in the front court like Jones does in the back court.
Miller showed promise last year after arriving from Minnesota. He's a good change of pace as a power-based four who loves to crash the glass.
Center
Early projection: Nic Claxton, Zach Collins, Jalen Smith
Graham's acquisition of Claxton has already been pushed to the back burner by ensuing splashier moves, but the 27-year-old is a low-usage rim protector, rebounder and interior finisher. He's the center the Bulls have needed for a long time.
Collins is an above-average backup if he can stay healthy. Smith can moonlight as a small-ball five, as can Essengue and Wilson. That would open up some fun lineup possibilities, which could get some combinations of Giddey, Swain, Buzelis, Wilson, Essengue and Miller on the floor together.
Splitter also has Patrick Williams and Isaac Okoro on the bench as break-glass-in-case-of-emergency veterans, though as long as everyone stays healthy, their minutes should be (thankfully) limited.
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