Starting point
The Chicago Bulls enter the 2026/27 NBA season in the middle of a roster reset. A busy summer reshaped the rotation, blending veterans with young talent, while no final 2025/26 record or standing is available in the official data set. Opening night will quickly test how competitive this group can be in a project built around interior play and ball movement.
League confirmation sets the opener for October 22, with a demanding early road stretch. That context makes the first weeks a more reliable gauge than any preseason narrative about ceiling or expectations.
Roster moves
The offseason brought major activity. On July 10, Chicago acquired Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets in the headline trade, signed Norman Powell the same day, and moved Mouhamadou Gueye to the Charlotte Hornets. Zach Collins re-signed on June 30. At the 2026 Draft, the Bulls selected Dailyn Swain and Caleb Wilson, later signed on July 3 along with Tobe Awaka and Jaylin Sellers.
The current roster — valid from July 1 — lists sixteen players, including Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Rob Dillingham, Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, Jalen Smith, Leonard Miller and the summer additions already mentioned.
Josh Giddey (No. 3) remains the primary playmaking hub. His ability to connect pick-and-roll actions and keep pace should be central for a team that needs consistent offensive flow.
Identity and strengths
The profile points to more rim protection, interior finishing and perimeter scoring options. Claxton adds defensive anchor qualities; Powell brings veteran shot creation; and the Giddey–Jones backcourt offers dual playmaking paths. On the wings, Matas Buzelis and Patrick Williams provide positional flexibility, while Dillingham represents upside in the guard rotation.
Nic Claxton's arrival changes the defensive identity of the starting unit. His mobility as a rim protector fits a team that must raise its level against stronger Eastern Conference opponents early in the schedule.
Risks
Youth across the core and limited prior-season benchmarks create uncertainty about the immediate ceiling. The opening slate — Toronto, Milwaukee, two trips to Boston and two games against New York in the first weeks — offers little room for a soft start. Integrating multiple new pieces and rookies will also require time to settle minutes without losing defensive reliability.
Expectations and outlook
From an editorial standpoint, the reasonable baseline is a development year with play-in contention as the upside scenario, not Eastern Conference favorite status. Progress hinges on health, Claxton and Powell stabilizing the rotation, and how quickly Buzelis, Dillingham and the draft class translate. A higher projection would require a clear defensive jump from recent franchise standards.
Matas Buzelis (No. 14) embodies part of that medium-term bet. His recent FIBA World Cup run with Lithuania — 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds across two games — hints at offensive growth, though NBA pace and physicality will demand another step.
Opening schedule
Chicago opens on October 22 in Toronto against the Raptors. The Bulls visit Milwaukee on October 24, host the Washington Wizards on October 25 at the United Center, then travel to Boston on October 27. Home dates with the New York Knicks follow on October 29, with a return to Boston on October 31. The early block closes at Philadelphia (November 3) and New York (November 5), a stretch that should set the tone for the season.
