Chicago Bulls 2026-27 Season Preview: Caleb Wilson, Norman Powell & Fantasy Outlook
Chicago enters 2026-27 under new head coach Tiago Splitter and new basketball boss Bryson Graham, with Josh Giddey at the center, a No. 4 pick in Caleb Wilson, and veterans Norman Powell and Nic Claxton added with cap space.
This Chicago Bulls 2026-27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft picks, its free agency and trade activity, the roster overhaul and projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and odds, and Bulls fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. After a 31-51 season, their worst record since 2020, the Bulls broke up their veteran core at the February deadline in a league-high seven trades that sent out Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Nikola Vucevic. This summer they used their cap space on Claxton and Powell and kept two lottery-range picks.
Bulls 2026-27 Season at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 Record | 31-51 |
| 2025-26 Finish | 12th in East, missed playoffs |
| 2026-27 Win Total | 28.5 |
| Championship Odds | Long shot (about +30000 to win the East) |
| 2026 Draft Picks | No. 4, No. 15 |
| Biggest Addition | Caleb Wilson (No. 4 pick) |
| Key Player | Josh Giddey |
| Fantasy Player to Watch | Caleb Wilson |
Chicago's 28.5 win total is the third-lowest in the East, and sportsbooks list the Bulls at +750 to reach the play-in and +1000 to make the playoffs.
2026 NBA Draft: Bulls' Picks and Fits
Chicago was the only team with two picks in the first 15 and moved its second-round selections for cash and a trade piece.
| Pick | Player | Position | School | 2026-27 Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 4 (1st Rd) | Caleb Wilson | PF/SF | North Carolina | Immediate starter | Second-team All-American and First-Team All-ACC forward with a Kevin Garnett comparison from Draymond Green; shot 25.9% from three before a thumb injury ended his season. |
| No. 15 (1st Rd) | Dailyn Swain | F | Texas | Rotation forward | Wing forward expected to compete for minutes behind Buzelis and Wilson. |
The Bulls' No. 38 pick went to Indiana (Braden Smith), and they sold the draft rights to Vsevolod Ishchenko to the Lakers for cash.
Key Free Agent Departures
Most of Chicago's veteran turnover happened at the trade deadline, so this offseason's departures were minor:
| Player | 2025-26 Role | 2026-27 Status | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anfernee Simons | Reserve guard | Philadelphia 76ers | Moderate |
| Collin Sexton | Reserve guard | Los Angeles Lakers | Moderate |
| Mouhamadou Gueye | Reserve forward | Traded to Charlotte (Claxton deal) | Minimal |
The Bulls also have a younger roster after trading Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Nikola Vucevic, and others in February, and waiving Jaden Ivey in March.
Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings
| Player | Terms | Type | Fantasy/Roster Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norman Powell | 2 yrs, ~$45M | Free agent addition | First-time All-Star in 2025-26 with Miami (21.7 PPG, 2.7 3PM); expected to start at shooting guard next to Giddey. |
| Nic Claxton | Via four-team trade (from Brooklyn), $23.3M | Trade acquisition | 27-year-old center who averaged 11.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.1 BPG on 57% shooting; Chicago gave up very little. |
| Zach Collins | Extension, ~$8.5M guaranteed | Re-signed | Backup center who played only 10 games last season because of toe and wrist injuries. |
| Caleb Wilson | Rookie contract | Draft pick | No. 4 pick expected to start at power forward. |
| Buddy Hield | Via trade (from Charlotte) | Trade acquisition | Bench depth that happens to be an elite shooter from three. |
Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup
The Bulls' offseason was the second half of an almost complete rebuild. After the deadline teardown, new boss Bryson Graham used cap space on Claxton and Powell, kept Giddey's four-year, $100 million extension as the core, and drafted Wilson. Giddey had ankle surgery in May and is expected to have no restrictions at camp. Splitter said the preseason opener starting five would be Giddey, Powell, Buzelis, Wilson, and a big.
Projected Starters
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Josh Giddey |
| SG | Norman Powell |
| SF | Matas Buzelis |
| PF | Caleb Wilson |
| C | Nic Claxton |
Bench Rotation
- Backcourt: Tre Jones, Buddy Hield
- Wing: Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams, Noa Essengue
- Frontcourt: Zach Collins, Jalen Smith, Leonard Miller
There are some decent players coming off of the Bulls bench this year that should solidify their rotation when their starting five is off of the floor.
Bulls Biggest Fantasy Questions
Can Josh Giddey Play 70 Games After Ankle Surgery?
Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 9.1 assists, and 1.9 threes in only 54 games and posted 28 double-doubles and 13 triple-doubles. His production is elite, but missed games are his main risk.
How Much Does Caleb Wilson Help in Year One?
Wilson is expected to start and has the length and motor to contribute rebounds and blocks right away, though his outside shot is a weakness. Rookie forwards in a rebuild usually get a lot of minutes.
Is Norman Powell's Scoring Safe at 33?
Powell averaged 21.7 points in 58 games for Miami and has scored at least 21 per game in each of the last two seasons. He’s going to enjoy playing next to a pass-first guard in Josh Giddey, and his scoring output could even go up from where it was last season.
Bulls Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know
Four Bulls fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with Giddey's production and a new young frontcourt as the dominant storylines.
Josh Giddey Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 28.0
- Position: PG/SG/SF
- 2025-26 Stats: 17.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 9.1 APG, 1.9 3PM, 1.0 SPG (54 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Triple-double upside with games-played risk
- What to Watch: Ankle health and turnovers
Giddey is one of the rare guards who gives rebounds and assists at elite levels. He turns the ball over 3.6 times per game and shoots 76.3% from the line, but his category floor is very high.
Matas Buzelis Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 87.0
- Position: SF/PF
- 2025-26 Stats: 16.3 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.5 BPG (77 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Rising forward with blocks and threes
- What to Watch: Role with Wilson added
Buzelis nearly doubled his minutes and almost doubled his scoring in his second season and is listed as the starting small forward. He shot 34.9% from three and offers steady blocks.
Norman Powell Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 98.5
- Position: SG/SF
- 2025-26 Stats: 21.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2.5 APG, 2.7 3PM (58 games, with Miami)
- Fantasy Outlook: Efficient scoring and threes
- What to Watch: Games played at age 33
Powell shot 47.0% overall, 38.0% from three, and 82.7% from the line. His ADP near 100 undersells that profile if he stays healthy.
Caleb Wilson Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 105.5
- Position: PF/SF
- 2025-26 Stats: N/A (rookie, No. 4 pick)
- Fantasy Outlook: Starter on a rebuilding team
- What to Watch: Three-point shooting and foul trouble
Wilson was a second-team All-American and had strong rebounding and shot-blocking numbers at North Carolina. Expect rebounds, blocks, and steals first, with scoring and threes as the question.
Bulls Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts
Bulls Fantasy Sleeper
Nic Claxton: Claxton averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 57% shooting and is the clear starting center. At an ADP of 107.5, he offers field-goal percentage and blocks, though he had a down year on the glass.
Bulls Fantasy Breakout Candidate
Caleb Wilson: The No. 4 pick is the Bulls' starting power forward from day one, with a motor and defensive tools that translate to rebounds, steals, and blocks. At an ADP of 105.5, any real scoring growth would make him one of the better rookie values.
Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of early October 2026 and are subject to change.