The Chicago Bulls need to calm down about Dailyn Swain right now. Fans are already expecting a star, but the numbers tell a different story. Swain did not look ready to carry a heavy load in the league yet. He averaged just 4.2 points and shot an abysmal 12.9% from the field across his four Summer League appearances. That is a rough start for a player with high hopes. According to Pippen Ain’t Easy, the team should not panic yet, but they must be honest about his current spot. Swain was always a developmental project, not a quick fix for the roster.
The Summer League Reality Check
Swain played like a kid who was scared to touch the ball. He was asked to run the offense, a role he never filled at Texas. In college, he averaged 17.3 points and shot 54.2% from the field, but that was in a different system. He was an inconsistent jump shooter even then and often hesitated to pull the trigger. Now he faces the pressure of a full rebuild with the weight on his shoulders. Chicago might view a disappointing rookie year as catastrophic if expectations remain excessively high. The front office knows this and is likely planning to limit his minutes to help him grow.
The Bulls have a crowded backcourt that limits where Swain can play. Josh Giddey and Norman Powell will start, while Tre Jones, Rob Dillingham, Isaac Okoro, and Jaylin Sellers will all come off the bench. Jones is expected to serve as the sixth man, while Dillingham enters the final year of his rookie deal. Okoro could absorb significant wing minutes that might have otherwise gone to Swain. This depth chart means Swain will not get the ball every night. He needs time to find his rhythm without the fear of losing his spot. For background, see Bulls Must Chase Paolo Banchero Before Magic Panic.
A Long Road for the Young Guard
Swain is fast and impactful in transition, but he has a ton of development to do. Building confidence with possession and mastering off-ball scoring as a perimeter threat are necessities for him. This season, the Bulls must allow Swain space to grow without demanding he exceeds 20 minutes nightly. That is the only way he can succeed in the long run. If the team pushes him too hard too soon, they might break his confidence before it even forms.
Patience is the key word here. The Bulls are in the early stages of their rebuild, and mistakes from young players are expected. They should not expect Swain to save the franchise in year one. He is a swing pick, not a cornerstone piece right now. The fans need to watch his growth, not his stats, for the rest of the year. Do you think Swain can bounce back once the regular season starts, or is this a bad sign for his future in Chicago?
