When the Bulls step onto the court for their first regular-season game, eyes will be glued to televisions. Not only to see rookie Caleb Wilson, but also how the new-look Bulls play.
But eyes should be glued to screens throughout the season to follow these five narratives.
1. How Wilson and Matas Buzelis play together
Wilson and Buzelis could be the young, talented Bulls duo that leads this team throughout the rebuild into the next chapter. One that provides fans with plenty of winning basketball that makes Chicago a top team in the East.
While these two will need time to grow together, this season will be one to watch for these forwards.
Do they look like a promising duo right away, or do they need time to figure things out together? Do they balance each other's talent well? Play off of each other well?
With the arrival of Wilson in Chicago, paired with Buzelis heading into year three, there is hope that the Bulls now have their core duo. This makes these questions all the more interesting and something fans should want the answers to.
2. Their defensive production and ability to protect the rim
In the 2025-26 regular season, Chicago finished 27th in opponent points in the paint (54.1) and 28th in opponent points per game (121.5), according to NBA.com.
If the Bulls want to be a competitive team, they will need a strong defense out on the floor. This will serve a dual purpose. Not only will it slow down their opponent, but it will give the young players and the team in general breathing room to figure things out in games.
How does the defense fare in year one of this rebuild? What players prove themselves to be key to building a talented defensive unit? How do Wilson and Buzelis perform on this end?
Most of all, what changes need to be made to improve on this end of the floor?
3. Norman Powell's impact on team success and those around him
Powell was a great pickup for the Chicago Bulls in free agency. In the 2025-26 regular season, Powell averaged 21.7 points per game on 47% shooting from the field and 38% from three.
If he can bring this scoring and shooting ability to Chicago, especially from beyond the arc, that would be very helpful for the Bulls.
Can Powell be a veteran leader on offense when the young players struggle? Also, how does he fit with the young guys who are trying to develop?
Powell has the chance to be very impactful for Chicago, and the last question will be one to think about throughout the season. If he can help lead Chicago while ensuring Buzelis and Wilson get their opportunities, it would help the rebuild tremendously.
4. How much Buzelis grows in year three
Buzelis took quite the leap forward in year two with the Chicago Bulls. In the 2024-25 regular season, he averaged 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 0.9 blocks per game. He shot 45.4% from the field.
In the 2025-26 regular season, he averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. He shot 46.3% from the field.
Given this leap, fans should expect even better production from Buzelis. How much improvement does he show early on? How much growth does he have throughout the season? How does Tiago Splitter help him improve?
Buzelis is a key player to the Bulls' future, making these questions important ones this season.
5. Where this team falls in the tough Eastern Conference
The East looks to be extremely tough this year, which should intrigue Bulls fans. How does this team perform in this type of Eastern Conference? Will this young team show they can find their place in it at some point?
This will be a big test for the Bulls in terms of their conference finish, but it should show their strengths and weaknesses.
And while there are plenty of other narratives, and ones that will likely pop up during the season, these are five to keep an eye on.
Add us as a preferred source on Google