A Rough Start for a Promising Guard
The Chicago Bulls made a tough call this week. They waived rookie guard Peter Suder to make room for Isaiah Stevens. On the surface, this looks like another failure for the 23-year-old. He already got cut by the Los Angeles Lakers before even playing a regular-season game. His Summer League numbers were ugly, too. Per Yahoo Sports, he averaged just 5.3 points and shot a poor 33.3% from the field across six games. He did score 14 points in one game against Dallas, but that was the only bright spot. The Lakers let him go to add forward Arthur Kaluma, leaving Suder without a team.
Yet, the story does not end with a release. Suder signed an Exhibit-10 deal with Chicago after leaving the Lakers. This specific contract type is a lifeline. If he joins the Windy City Bulls in the G League and stays for 60 days, he earns a bonus. The potential payout is up to $91,000 on top of his salary. This structure lets the Bulls keep evaluating a player who drew high praise in college without wasting an NBA roster spot. It is a smart, low-risk move by the front office.
Young Bulls Finding Their Grit
While Suder fights for a future, other young players are fighting for spots right now. Second-year forward Noa Essengue had a terrible Summer League, but he is showing great improvement at camp. Coach Tiago Splitter spoke to the press about the change. “I really like the first few days of Noa,” Splitter said via Sports Illustrated. “He’s being more aggressive. He’s fighting every possession. Fighting, rebounding, protecting the rim. He’s practicing well.”
Essengue credits new conversations with the coaching staff for his turnaround. He told reporters, “After Summer League, I talked a lot with Tiago and Bryson.” He added that they told him to “just play my game, play free both offensively and defensively.” The 19-year-old now seems ready to compete. Splitter noted, “I think he’s fighting for a spot, right?” The coach likes his ambition and strength. This energy is exactly what the Bulls need from their youth core.
Brotherly Rivalry on the Court
The chemistry between the young wings is also heating up. Third-year wing Matas Buzelis and new pick Caleb Wilson are pushing each other hard. Buzelis called Wilson his “twin” and said they feel like brothers. They are not just friends, though. They are trying to “kill each other on the court” to get better, according to reports. Wilson agrees that the competition is fun but intense.
This friendly war helps everyone on the roster. The Bulls have a mix of veterans like Norman Powell and Nic Claxton to guide them. But the future lies with these kids. If Suder can make the G League team and earn that bonus, it shows the Bulls are patient. They are willing to develop talent even after a rough start. The path is hard, but the work is being done. The Bulls are building a team that fights for every inch of ground.
