The Chicago Bulls' 2026 NBA preseason schedule could be must-see basketball

Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls announced their 2026-27 NBA Preseason schedule.

At first glance, the anticipation vibes should be sky high for Bulls fans after taking a look at the preseason schedule that has been delivered to the Bulls.  

Starting with the Bulls' Oct 7, 2026, matchup against the visiting Phoenix Suns, fans will get their first look at the complete new-look Bulls roster while facing a Suns roster that should present an early, formidable front-court challenge to the Bulls via their deep rotation of bigs in Mark Williams, Khaman Maluach, Oso Ighodaro, and rookie Koa Peat.

Without question, the blockbuster preseason game easily is the next installment of Caleb Wilson vs. Cameron Boozer when the Bulls welcome the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct 9, 2026. 

The first installment of Wilson v. Boozer didn’t disappoint, and the preseason version of the matchup should be another thrilling entry into the emerging basketball rivalry between the number three overall and number four overall selections in the 2026 NBA Draft.

The Grizzlies matchup should also be an early measuring stick on how much physicality the complete Bulls roster can dish out against their opponent.  The Summer Grizzlies’ defense proved to be too much for the Summer Bulls.  

Adding centers Zach Edey and Isaiah Stewart to the Grizzlies' defensive end of the court shouldn’t make it any easier for the Bulls.  If Bulls fans are lucky, maybe a bit of nostalgia may bless the crowd if former Bulls forward, now on the Grizzlies roster, Taj Gibson gets preseason minutes against the Bulls.

Caleb Wilson’s fellow 2026 NBA All-Summer League First Team selection Brayden Burries and the Milwaukee Bucks should create a tantalizing rookie duel when the Bulls travel to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Oct 14, 2026.  

When the Bulls face the Denver Nuggets on Oct 11, 2026, the biggest mystery in the game will likely be whether the Denver Nuggets will have an extended Peyton Watson on the roster as Watson and the Nuggets trudge through a restricted free-agency standoff on Watson’s next NBA contract.

The Bulls will conclude their preseason with a matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves and their revamped backcourt of guard Lamelo Ball, pairing with perennial NBA All-Star Anthony Edwards.  This game in particular should serve as a reliable measuring stick for how the Bulls should fare against elite NBA competition during the 2026-27 NBA season.

The Bulls preseason big picture

Obviously, Caleb Wilson needs to continue to play with the same motor he displayed in Las Vegas, and more than anything, it will be important for Wilson to start to establish his game rhythm principally with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, who should have comparable stakes in the Bulls’ on-ball reps.

Aside from the starters, there will be questions asked and answered about the viability of Dailyn Swain and Noa Essengue as rotational players during the Bulls' preseason games.  If nothing else, the Bulls should be able to put a fun stretch of basketball on film over the course of their five preseason games.

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