The Chicago Bulls, obviously, having an enticing young piece in fourth-overall pick Caleb Wilson. But their other first-round selection, Dailyn Swain, deserves some serious attention as well.
Granted, his performance in Summer League was horrendous. Across four games, he averaged just 4.2 points, five rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting a horrid 12.9% from the field. We saw all of the doubts about him coming into the Draft—regarding his hesitancy to shoot and his inefficiencies both on the perimeter and interior—put on full display.
But Swain was always going to be a prospect that needed time to acclimate to the NBA, and the upside there is immense. Swain measure in a 6'6.5" at the Combine and has a massive 6'10" wingspan. If he can start to hit his 3-point shots consistently and develop as an on-ball defender, there's certainly the potential for him to be a highly impactful 3-and-D wing before the end of his rookie contract.
But if you're expecting to see that development in his rookie season, you're going to need to count on the Bulls to clear a path to minutes on the wing. Swain's rookie campaign, therefore, could hinge on Chicago's ability to move on from Isaac Okoro, Leonard Miller, or (somehow) Patrick Williams at the trade deadline.
Don't expect a major rookie year from Dailyn Swain— unless the Bulls can clear a path for him
It's not as though this Bulls rotation is stacked to the extent that Swain won't see minutes early in the season. But Norman Powell and Matas Buzelis will certainly be the starters at shooting guard/small forward, and Isaac Okoro will likely be the first off the bench to replace either of them on the floor.
Okoro started in all 62 of his appearances last season for Chicago, averaging 9.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting an uncharacteristically low 33% from beyond the arc. He's certainly better-suited as a bench wing on any team, and the arrival of Powell allows the Bulls to keep him in that role.
He's on the final year of the three-year, $33 million pact he originally signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers. If Chicago is able to give him extensive run and see his perimeter shooting become more consistent again, he could be a relatively major asset to dangle at the trade deadline as contenders look for additional wing talent.
Williams, meanwhile, likely needs to see minutes on the wing this season if the Bulls are going to give him any shot to carve out a spot in the rotation. His perimeter shooting consistency isn't there, nor is his lateral athleticism on the defensive end. He's likely better-suited long term as a four, if anything. But with Wilson and Jalen Smith slated to play power forward, Chicago needs to see if there's anything left to be maximized in Williams' game under Tiago Splitter.
Miller is less of a consideration here in terms of trade value. But he's also entering the final season of his rookie deal, and the Bulls need to determine if he has a long-term fit on this roster.
All of this leaves Swain likely as the fourth priority on the wing during the majority of his rookie season. But if Chicago can find reps for him before Christmas and are ultimately able to move on from Okoro at the trade deadline, a path could quickly be opened for Swain to take on extensive, low-stakes minutes once the Bulls are already eliminated from playoff contention.
It's not the best-case scenario for a rookie— but it could give Swain the chance to show what he's capable of in 2026-27.
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