"while the Bulls should be taking chances on young players, there are diminishing returns when you have too many of them, and it’s more important to foster development of the more important prospects."
This pretty much sums up my thoughts on the Hield trade perfectly. Whatever the Bulls need to do to maximize their chances of Wilson turning into a superstar, do it. I don't care if it means trading away a 21 year old with "potential" for a near-34 year old with a limited game.
Love the trade for the Bulls. Creates a nice mix of youth and veterans. Hield brings much needed shooting, obviously.
This team is giving me serious Pacers suprise championship run vibes. The team just makes so much sense and the pieces seem to really compliment each other.
It also reminds me of those bulls teams with rondo, wade and butler, just really tough, with multiple ball handlers.
As currently constructed i could see this team winning 48 games or so.
If Hield isn't washed (and for what it's worth, both Hollinger and Duncan seemed to think he was not last year) I would think at least in theory that removes one excuse for not aggressively working to trade Powell.
Yes. I don't think the plan was ever for Powell to be a long-term piece. I'd imagine Graham will be accepting calls on all of Powell, Hield, Okoro, Jones, Smith, and Claxton at this year's trade deadline. Maybe Giddey too if Graham doesn't see Giddey as a long-term piece next to Buzelis and Wilson.
I think he meant "trade him now?" vs later at the deadline. And I assume that's what you're referring to... Bulls dealing Powell in early Feb even if the team is shaping up as "more competitive and balanced than expected". Not that the Bulls should already have been aggressively pursuing Powell deals this month or before the season starts
yes is there even precedent for signing a guy and then trading him a couple months later before the season even starts, that's not a sign and trade of course
I think Hield and Powell are almost certainly here though the end of this season as the only 2 Bulls who have shot above average from distance before this year
Graham was also the Pelicans scouting coordinator when they drafted Hield. I think Acie Law (Graham teammate at Texas A&M) was a scout for the Kings when Hield was there.
I will say, I think Graham's excitement is infectious. That obviously doesn't mean he'll be good at his job, but after decades of GarPax and AKME, it's nice to see the guy in charge actually seems like he loves his job and wants to succeed.
Agreed, even if he turns out to be an idiot, it's nice that we won't have to watch a dour, mopey, disinterested idiot run the team.
Though let's check back on this comment in a few years; running the Bulls under the 'Dorfs has broken stronger men. (Check out Pax's demeanor in the 90s and early 2000s vs the subsequent decades)
In a vacuum, a bit shocking to pay a now-healthy former #8 overall pick $7M to just go away...before even entering his 3rd season! But not shocking to anyone who watched him play last year. Respect to the Hornets' ownership and FO, as this is something the Reinsdorfs would never allow.
Oh yes, it's a good move in that context. Though the savings would have been accomplished even if they'd kept Dilly. They (accurately) decided that an open roster spot for $7M was worth more than Dilly playing basketball for $7M. As noted above, the Bulls have had many opportunities to make similar moves in the past (Felicio, etc.) and have only done so once in my memory (Boozer "amnesty" in 2014). I'm not kidding when I say I believe GarPax got sign off on that move only after agreeing to pay it back to team coffers via collecting cash considerations.
well this isn't promising: Splitter on...Isaac Okoro?
"He is a guy that is going to play a lot for us. He is probably our best perimeter defender, so he's definitely going to play a lot of minutes for us and help us win basketball game ... He's relentless. He's strong. He fights screens. He stays in front of people. He does everything. He just has that bulky body that can spin around the defense and get stuff done"
I mean…if we’re all acknowledging that Noa is going to probably spend a good portion of time in the G League, Pat should be on the bench a lot, and the year will be a journey for Swain, then it only makes sense that Okoro will be one of the more heavily used bench forwards, right?
It’s a bit of a silly quote from Splitter in a vacuum because he’s talking about a mediocre role player with no future here, but at the end of the day it’s really just nothing more than a coach hyping up a vet in training camp who he knows will be part of the rotation as long as he’s on the roster.
He averages out as mediocre because his flaws on offense cancel out some of his bordeline-elite defensive attributes. It's not a silly quote at all because Tiago was talking solely about defense and it's 100% true that in most non-Okoro lineups the Bulls will really struggle to defend the perimeter.
I don't want him to play a minute over Swain. Maybe not even Hield given a preference of shooting on the floor. I recognize that's not likely but thus why it's not 'promising' that Okoro is getting pumped up. It could also be nothing!
I really focused on watching Isaac Okoro play last year and there's literally nothing that Splitter said that's not true. His stats/analytics don't reflect a lot of the stuff noted above. And obviously he's got his issues on offense at times. But he was a key cog on the team that finished 1st in the conference the year before last. As a defender he's a winning player.
I didn't make the obvious connection that Graham was part of the team that drafted Hawkins. So that's a bit lazy but maybe that connection had him choose Chicago over other 2-way spots
Really pleased with this signing, especially with it being a two-way which leaves that final roster spot open heading into the season. A very low risk signing that has potential to help address one of the Bulls' greatest needs. And if it doesn't work out, who cares?
"while the Bulls should be taking chances on young players, there are diminishing returns when you have too many of them, and it’s more important to foster development of the more important prospects."
This pretty much sums up my thoughts on the Hield trade perfectly. Whatever the Bulls need to do to maximize their chances of Wilson turning into a superstar, do it. I don't care if it means trading away a 21 year old with "potential" for a near-34 year old with a limited game.
Love the trade for the Bulls. Creates a nice mix of youth and veterans. Hield brings much needed shooting, obviously.
This team is giving me serious Pacers suprise championship run vibes. The team just makes so much sense and the pieces seem to really compliment each other.
It also reminds me of those bulls teams with rondo, wade and butler, just really tough, with multiple ball handlers.
As currently constructed i could see this team winning 48 games or so.
if Caleb is kevin Garrett, why not
I think that's ridiculous. I'm excited about the team and season. But I'm not sure they win 30 games
If Hield isn't washed (and for what it's worth, both Hollinger and Duncan seemed to think he was not last year) I would think at least in theory that removes one excuse for not aggressively working to trade Powell.
trade him after signing him?
Yes. I don't think the plan was ever for Powell to be a long-term piece. I'd imagine Graham will be accepting calls on all of Powell, Hield, Okoro, Jones, Smith, and Claxton at this year's trade deadline. Maybe Giddey too if Graham doesn't see Giddey as a long-term piece next to Buzelis and Wilson.
Yes, that's generally how the sequence goes.
I think he meant "trade him now?" vs later at the deadline. And I assume that's what you're referring to... Bulls dealing Powell in early Feb even if the team is shaping up as "more competitive and balanced than expected". Not that the Bulls should already have been aggressively pursuing Powell deals this month or before the season starts
yes is there even precedent for signing a guy and then trading him a couple months later before the season even starts, that's not a sign and trade of course
yeah we know, I'm asking if you mean before the season starts, which sounds bizarre
I think Hield and Powell are almost certainly here though the end of this season as the only 2 Bulls who have shot above average from distance before this year
Graham was also the Pelicans scouting coordinator when they drafted Hield. I think Acie Law (Graham teammate at Texas A&M) was a scout for the Kings when Hield was there.
I will say, I think Graham's excitement is infectious. That obviously doesn't mean he'll be good at his job, but after decades of GarPax and AKME, it's nice to see the guy in charge actually seems like he loves his job and wants to succeed.
Agreed, even if he turns out to be an idiot, it's nice that we won't have to watch a dour, mopey, disinterested idiot run the team.
Though let's check back on this comment in a few years; running the Bulls under the 'Dorfs has broken stronger men. (Check out Pax's demeanor in the 90s and early 2000s vs the subsequent decades)
ShockedPikachu.png
>>>@KCJHoop
Tiago Splitter said he expects everybody to practice Tuesday except maybe Zach Collins, who has a soft tissue injury<<<
I'm ready for the pics of Zach Collins and Kyler Gordon rehabbing together.
Hornets waive Rob Dilliingham.
In a vacuum, a bit shocking to pay a now-healthy former #8 overall pick $7M to just go away...before even entering his 3rd season! But not shocking to anyone who watched him play last year. Respect to the Hornets' ownership and FO, as this is something the Reinsdorfs would never allow.
Hornets' FO is no holds barred. You have to respect it.
The trade opened up a roster spot and saves them $3m this season and next.
Oh yes, it's a good move in that context. Though the savings would have been accomplished even if they'd kept Dilly. They (accurately) decided that an open roster spot for $7M was worth more than Dilly playing basketball for $7M. As noted above, the Bulls have had many opportunities to make similar moves in the past (Felicio, etc.) and have only done so once in my memory (Boozer "amnesty" in 2014). I'm not kidding when I say I believe GarPax got sign off on that move only after agreeing to pay it back to team coffers via collecting cash considerations.
Bulls are finally focusing on building out their analytics department. Better late than never, I suppose...
https://x.com/JoelXLorenzi/status/2104989725203243411
We have Tiago Splitter's version of the punch clock
https://roundtable.io/sports/nba/bulls/players/bulls-new-culture-may-have-started-with-training-camps-new-instrument
well this isn't promising: Splitter on...Isaac Okoro?
"He is a guy that is going to play a lot for us. He is probably our best perimeter defender, so he's definitely going to play a lot of minutes for us and help us win basketball game ... He's relentless. He's strong. He fights screens. He stays in front of people. He does everything. He just has that bulky body that can spin around the defense and get stuff done"
I mean…if we’re all acknowledging that Noa is going to probably spend a good portion of time in the G League, Pat should be on the bench a lot, and the year will be a journey for Swain, then it only makes sense that Okoro will be one of the more heavily used bench forwards, right?
It’s a bit of a silly quote from Splitter in a vacuum because he’s talking about a mediocre role player with no future here, but at the end of the day it’s really just nothing more than a coach hyping up a vet in training camp who he knows will be part of the rotation as long as he’s on the roster.
He averages out as mediocre because his flaws on offense cancel out some of his bordeline-elite defensive attributes. It's not a silly quote at all because Tiago was talking solely about defense and it's 100% true that in most non-Okoro lineups the Bulls will really struggle to defend the perimeter.
I don't want him to play a minute over Swain. Maybe not even Hield given a preference of shooting on the floor. I recognize that's not likely but thus why it's not 'promising' that Okoro is getting pumped up. It could also be nothing!
I really focused on watching Isaac Okoro play last year and there's literally nothing that Splitter said that's not true. His stats/analytics don't reflect a lot of the stuff noted above. And obviously he's got his issues on offense at times. But he was a key cog on the team that finished 1st in the conference the year before last. As a defender he's a winning player.
Bulls’ Nic Claxton (Hamstring) Out At Least Two Weeks https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/10/bulls-nic-claxton-hamstring-out-at-least-two-weeks.html
Nice! Bulls, Jordan Hawkins Agree To Two-Way Contract https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2026/10/bulls-jordan-hawkins-agree-to-two-way-contract.html
I hope I don't read how this was only possible because Bulls kept 2 way spot open (they could have just cut someone to do this)
I didn't make the obvious connection that Graham was part of the team that drafted Hawkins. So that's a bit lazy but maybe that connection had him choose Chicago over other 2-way spots
Really pleased with this signing, especially with it being a two-way which leaves that final roster spot open heading into the season. A very low risk signing that has potential to help address one of the Bulls' greatest needs. And if it doesn't work out, who cares?
Buddy Hield era! 🔥🔥🔥🔥