Even though the Chicago Bulls are not expected to win many games in the 2026-27 season, the sensational Summer League play of No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson has fans optimistic about what the future holds for Tiago Splitter and this franchise.
The Bulls' youth movement is in full swing, as this team is going to let Wilson and youngsters like No. 15 pick Dailyn Swain work through some rough patches in the name of player development. However, there is only so much energy to go around, and Chicago can't give all of their younger players an endless runway.
The Bulls need to sink some major time and developmental stock into two very promising starlets that have shown flashes. In the name of truncating their long-term roster, it might not be the worst idea in the road to pull focus away from a few other players with a lower ceiling.
2 young players Bulls must develop, 2 to give up on
Develop: Matas Buzelis
Wilson is the star this team will build around, but Buzelis continues to show signs that he can be a high-end complementary secondary or tertiary option for Chicago. Buzelis was leaps and bounds better as a finisher last season, and he remains a very creative passer when given the opportunity.
The next step the Bulls need to see Buzelis take is improving his on-ball defense, which could be tough due to his slight frame.
Dump: Rob Dillingham
While it sounds harsh to give up on someone who was the No. 8 pick in the NBA Draft just two years ago, Dillingham has shown himself to be everything those who were skeptical of him as a prospect worried he would be. He's a traffic cone on defense, and his lack of efficiency as a scorer is alarming.
Minnesota was outrageously aggressive in trying to acquire him in the Draft, and the fact they dumped him after one full season and change (84 games) should tell the Bulls what they thought of him.
Develop: Leonard Miller
In a strange twist of fate, Miller may end up being the better player Chicago acquired in the Ayo Dosunmu trade. After years of being relegated to G League games and mop-up duty, Miller averaged 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game with 55/36/76 shooting splits with the Bulls.
2026-27 will answer if Miller's improvements were the result of volume on a bad team or a sign that the enticing athletic ability he had as a prospect is finally starting to help him become a solid role player.
Dump: Patrick Williams
Still just 24 years old, the man the Bulls thought had Kawhi Leonard-type potential has simply run out of road in Chicago. To make matters even worse for a player who was picked No. 4 overall once upon a time and thought to be a franchise cornerstone, he put up the worst offensive numbers of his career (7.0 PPG, 37% from the field) last season.
With Wilson and Nic Claxton in town, Williams' minutes could be squeezed dry. He needs a fresh start somewhere else.
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