Eight games into his tenure, Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter is rallying a battered frontcourt ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Philadelphia 76ers. With both Nic Claxton and Jalen Smith nursing injuries—Claxton from a hamstring and Smith from a hand—Splitter says the duo can feed off each other and may even swap starting roles. He expects Claxton to boost the offense with passing and transition play once he returns, while Smith, who started before his injury, is also set to suit up. The Bulls, sitting 1‑7, hope the revived paint partnership can spark a turnaround when they host the 76ers at 2:30 pm CST.
Golden State Warriors forward Kristaps Porzingis announces he is stepping away from basketball to prioritize his health, ending a season that began with a two‑year, $40 million deal. After missing training camp and being listed ‘indefinitely’ out, Porzingis confirmed he is dealing with POTS, though the team and player have not publicly disclosed the diagnosis. The Warriors have stopped his salary payments, guaranteeing only $3 million for next season, and are now positioning him as a trade chip, fielding interest from the Bulls, Bucks, and Pelicans. Milwaukee’s Myles Turner and New Orleans’ Herb Jones are among the rumored targets.
Center Nic Claxton, sidelined by a preseason hamstring strain, joins the Chicago Bulls at practice Friday and declares he feels great and is ready to return for Sunday’s 2:30 p.m. CST game against the Philadelphia 76ers. He emphasizes health and availability, vowing to "run through a wall." The Bulls, sitting 1‑7, have relied on Jalen Smith, who also missed Wednesday’s game with a hand injury but is expected back on Sunday. Claxton’s comeback could bolster Chicago’s interior defense after his June three‑team trade from Brooklyn and Minnesota.
Luka Dončić’s recent scoring surge is drawing high‑profile praise from fellow NBA stars. After dropping 42 points against both the Miami Heat and Sacramento Kings, Giannis Antetokounmpo called him “one of the best scorers of all time,” while Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine echoed the sentiment, saying Luka is “one of the most talented players of all time” and deserves more credit. The article also notes a humorous post‑game mix‑up involving LaVine and Austin Reaves. These endorsements highlight Dončić’s historic early‑season performances.
Kristaps Porzinges announces he is stepping away from basketball to focus on his health, citing a chronic nervous‑system disorder (POTS) that erupted after a 2025 virus. The 31‑year‑old 7'2" center, who posted the statement on social media, says he isn’t physically ready to compete at his expected level and will work with the Golden State Warriors to find a trade solution. Golden State continues to explore deals with the Bucks, Bulls and Pelicans, hoping to offload his $20 million expiring contract within the next 30‑40 days. Porzingis, a former Celtics champion, has averaged 19.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks over his career.
Caleb Williams has become Chicago’s unlikely sporting savior just eight weeks into his NFL debut, shouldering the city’s collective disappointment. While the Bears boast the league’s most potent offense in half a century, the rest of Chicago’s teams are floundering—Northwestern sits 6‑2 but unranked, the Cubs and White Sox are out of the playoffs, the Sky have traded away Angel Reese, and the Bulls sit 1‑7 with an 18‑point average loss, the worst in NBA history. Williams now stands as the lone bright spot for Chicago fans.
Dalton Knecht, the former Lakers first‑round pick now on a two‑way contract, made a splash in his Knicks debut, scoring 10 points with seven rebounds and a block in 16 minutes against Chicago. Coach Mike Brown praised his versatile offense but warned he must improve defensively. The Knicks also shuffled their backup point guard, giving Tyler Kolek six minutes in the 30‑point win over the Bulls while sideling Jose Alvarado until garbage time, a move that could affect Kolek’s contract option. Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson’s rising cultural profile is examined, and Landry Shamet’s knack for creating closeouts that generate 1.38 points per play is highlighted as a unique offensive asset.
The Chicago Bulls made a shocking decision when they traded both Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White. It sure seems Josh Giddey was the wrong player to keep.
The Golden State Warriors have reached out to the New Orleans Pelicans, Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks about a trade involving Kristaps Porzingis' contract, according to ClutchPoints reporter Brett Siegel. With Porzingis likely heading toward retirement and a possible $6‑8 million buyout of his $20 million salary, the Warriors hope to flip his contract for trade exception space before the deadline. The Bulls are the most plausible partner, as the Warriors have also eyed their center Jalen Smith—who is posting career highs (11.0 points, 7.8 rebounds) this season—but Chicago says it will wait for the deadline or draft compensation. The Bucks and Pelicans remain low‑key prospects, and any deal would have to fit within the Warriors’ limited second‑round pick assets.
The Chicago Bulls are one of the worst teams in the NBA—but that's an alright outcome for this season.
OG Anunoby scores 18 points in the Knicks’ 135-105 win over the Bulls despite a cold 3-for-10 shooting night, converting 11 of 12 free throws and adding three steals in 24 minutes. The forward’s ability to attack the rim and draw fouls helped offset heavy defensive focus on Jalen Brunson. While his three‑point shooting was limited (1 of 6), the piece argues New York should keep using Anunoby’s mismatch attacks without sacrificing floor spacing as they gear up for a tougher test against Cleveland.
Doc Rivers, who coached the 76ers from 2020‑2023, praises the team's current 8‑1 start on The Bill Simmons Podcast, calling Philadelphia the "best team in the NBA" and hard to beat. Rivers highlights the star‑studded lineup—LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecomb—and their strong defense, allowing just 105.1 points per game (rating 105.4). He notes Maxey’s clutch play and Nick Nurse’s coaching as key factors. The Sixers next face the Cavaliers Friday and the Bulls Sunday.
Duncan Robinson is poised for a full $16 million guarantee from the Pistons after posting career‑high numbers – 19 points per game, 47.4% shooting and 47.9% from three over his first eight games. His non‑guaranteed $15.2 million salary for next season appears likely to become guaranteed as he fills the offensive void left by Jalen Duren. Meanwhile, Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen left a game with a right‑knee knock but expects a quick return, while Tyrese Proctor and other Cleveland players are listed as questionable for the NBA Cup showdown in Philadelphia. Former Bucks coach Doc Rivers reveals on the Bill Simmons Podcast that Giannis Antetokounmpo silently pressured Milwaukee to trade him, and a Chicago Tribune piece questions the Bulls’ concern over Matas Buzelis’ slow start.
Mike Brown gave rookie guard Tyler Kolek his first backup minutes in a 135-105 win over the Chicago Bulls, replacing Jose Alvarado. Kolek didn’t score but dished five assists with zero turnovers in 11 minutes, showing a pass-first style when Jalen Brunson rests. While the blowout win highlights his playmaking, coach Brown must still assess defensive matchups and shooting before making a permanent backup decision. The article suggests keeping Kolek in the rotation for the upcoming game against Cleveland to let the matchup dictate his role, rather than issuing a quick verdict after one easy victory.
The Bulls' key free agent acquisition is firing away erratically and, in the process, stunting Chicago's rebuild.
Jalen Brunson and his dad, Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson, make brief cameos as Captain Madison on Law & Order: SVU. Fans on X spotted the “blink‑or‑you’ll‑miss‑it” appearance and traded jokes—some likening it to “take your kid to work day” and roasting Jalen’s acting with lines like “Don’t quit your day job.” While opinions vary, the Brunsons’ TV stint coincides with the Knicks’ recent 33‑point win over the Chicago Bulls as they gear up for a matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The article captures the fan buzz and the players’ focus on the NBA season.
The Chicago Bulls are playing historically bad basketball eight games into the 2026-27 NBA regular season. Sadly, this isn't hyperbole. It's a stark reality.
Knicks head coach Mike Brown insists Dalton Knecht is more than a spot‑up shooter, calling him a true scorer after his debut. Knecht tallied 10 points and seven rebounds off the bench in a 30‑point win over the Chicago Bulls, offering a promising start for the former No. 17 2024 Lakers draft pick who signed a two‑way deal after being waived. Brown’s comments highlight a willingness to look past stereotypes and evaluate Knecht’s offensive versatility, though he must still prove his defense to earn a regular rotation spot.
ClutchPoints outlines the 25 NBA stars most likely to be traded before the 2027 deadline, highlighting roster shake‑ups already brewing in the 2026‑27 season. The list includes veterans like Jr Jrue Holiday (Portland), Kristaps Porzingis and Draymond Green (Golden State), and Jimmy Butler (Warriors), whose age and expiring contracts make them trade bait. Front‑court assets such as Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento), Zach LaVine (Kings), and Zion Williamson (New Orleans) are also flagged as movable as teams shuffle for younger talent. The article notes emerging buyers—Chicago, Phoenix, Charlotte, and Dallas—while noting each player’s recent performance and contract status. Readers get a concise preview of potential blockbuster moves ahead of the 2027 trade deadline.
NBA anti‑tanking reforms have reshaped the draft lottery, but early season results show many teams still flounder. Stephen Noh notes that six clubs sit at 1‑0, double last year’s count, with the Bulls, Jazz, Bucks and Kings all 1‑7 and Chicago posting a league‑worst –17.6 net rating. While the new rules may curb deliberate losing later in the year, they won’t instantly fix weak rosters. Noh points to bright spots—Memphis’s 6‑2 start and progress from Dallas, Washington and New Orleans—driven by health, development and smart additions. The lottery tweak can encourage better decisions, but it won’t create talent overnight.
The Chicago Bulls are struggling on offense and need Matas Buzelis to embrace his instincts as a scorer to pull away from their destructive tendencies.
Dalton Knecht, a former Tennessee standout, finally shines after joining the New York Knicks in October. In his Knicks debut against Chicago, he scores 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, grabs 7 rebounds, blocks a shot and logs zero turnovers in 16 minutes, including a put‑back slam and two threes. Coach Mike Brown praised him, saying Knecht is “a scorer, not just a shooter,” and highlighted his ability to attack the rim and hit mid‑range shots. The performance marks a promising fresh start for the rookie heading into his third NBA season.
Norman Powell warns that opponents treat the 1‑7 Chicago Bulls like an easy win, calling their recent 30‑point loss to the Knicks a wake‑up call. The Bulls sit tied for the league’s worst record with a –17.5 net rating, ranking 28th in offense, 29th in defense, and last in three‑point shooting (27.2%). Powell urges more grit, while coach Tiago Splitter criticizes rookie No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson’s bench exit after a lackluster performance. With the NBA’s new lottery penalties targeting tanking, Chicago must become tougher now to avoid remaining the NBA’s bottom team.
After a crushing 112-95 loss to the New York Knicks on Nov. 4, the Chicago Bulls reshuffle their roster, sending rookie forward Dailyn Swain and injured center Nic Claxton to the G‑League Windy City Bulls. Swain, the 15th overall pick, has logged two games averaging 9.5 minutes and 2.5 points, while Claxton, a former Defensive Player of the Year candidate sidelined by a preseason hamstring tear, begins rehab. The moves clear space for Jalen Smith, who is nursing a left‑hand injury but should return before the Bulls face Philadelphia on Sunday. The Windy City Bulls open their season Friday, Nov. 6, versus the Noblesville Boom.
The Bulls slip to a 1‑7 record after a 30‑point loss in New York, now tied for the league’s worst record and holding the lowest net rating (‑17.5). Offensive and defensive ratings sit at 28th and 29th, and the team ranks last in three‑point shooting (27.2%). Veteran Norman Powell urges a tougher mentality, while rookie No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson is “soft‑benched” after a frustrating outing, according to coach Tiago Splitter. Jalen Smith exits early with a hand injury, and the club sends Nic Claxton and Dailyn Swain to the G League. Powell is also flagged as a potential trade candidate.