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Before the Chicago Bulls faced the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, head coach Tiago Splitter delivered a key update regarding the team's No. 15 overall pick. With the G League season set to tip off on Friday, the Bulls intend to assign Dailyn Swain to their G League affiliate in Hoffman Estates. Splitter relayed this information to traveling beat reporters, including Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
The move is hardly unexpected. It was widely anticipated that the Bulls' second 2026 first-round selection would spend some time in the G League this year. Such assignments are standard practice, and Swain's struggles in Summer League and the preseason indicated that his adjustment to NBA competition might take time. The Bulls have also been cautious about giving Swain extensive minutes early on. The swingman has appeared in just two games, logging a total of 19 minutes. While some might argue he deserves more opportunity in a rebuilding environment, the limited role reflects where he stands in his development. The coaching staff clearly believes that additional G League time will benefit him, and fans should share that view. Live-game action is the best way to improve, and Swain will likely receive extra attention on the Windy City roster, serving as a primary offensive option. Especially if the Bulls hope to develop him into more of a lead ball-handler, this G League stint could be invaluable. Above all, it should help build his confidence as he aims for more consistent NBA playing time in the second half of the season.
Big Man Problems
The Chicago Bulls were on the verge of having a fully healthy center rotation for the first time this season. Then Jalen Smith took a hard fall against the Knicks. The recent starting center was forced to leave the game with a wrist injury, leaving the Bulls to rely on Zach Collins and Patrick Williams at the five. Smith has already been playing through a finger injury, and the wrist issue appeared to be on the same hand. The good news is that Smith told K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network that he may be able to play this Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers. In other words, the injury doesn't appear too serious. The bad news is that it's another ailment to manage. Additionally, Collins' performance hasn't been particularly encouraging to start the season. Does he deserve some grace considering he's played just 15 games since the start of the 2025-26 season? Absolutely, but the veteran big man has still struggled to find comfort in the new Bulls system. There's also uncertainty about how Nic Claxton will perform as a Bull. Having him available is a positive for the frontcourt, but how significant? Can he help fix the team's abysmal defense? Isn't that a lot to ask after he missed nearly all of training camp and preseason? Indeed, just because Claxton is nearing a return doesn't guarantee an immediate turnaround. He will still need an adjustment period, and questions remain about his fit alongside the team's two young wings. The Bulls are currently allowing opponents to shoot nearly 49.0 percent from the field and score 53.0 points in the paint per game (fifth-most). The blowout losses will continue if the center rotation can't provide better rim protection.
Rookie Ladder Update
Caleb Wilson has slipped in the NBA's latest Rookie Ladder. Previously ranked No. 3, the 20-year-old is back in familiar territory at No. 4, behind Cameron Boozer of the Memphis Grizzlies, Yaxel Lendeborg of the Warriors, and Darius Acuff Jr. of the Kings. While Boozer and Lendeborg have been ahead of Wilson all season, Acuff's recent surge earned him a Top 3 spot. Acuff is averaging 26.1 points and 6.3 assists per game. Sacramento's No. 7 overall pick also had arguably the most impressive game by any rookie this season, dropping 38 points with nine made threes against Boozer's Grizzlies. None of this means Wilson is falling out of the Rookie of the Year conversation. Despite the Bulls' sluggish start, he is still playing high-level basketball over his first seven games. At the same time, this is an early indication of how difficult winning the award will be. Boozer and Lendeborg, in particular, look ready to make strong runs at the honor. What Boozer is doing is hard to ignore. Lendeborg is at least entering the NBA at 24 years old. Boozer is 19 and leading a 6-2 Grizzlies team. Wilson will need to stack up highlights to distract voters from the winning record.