The Harsh Reality of the New Rankings
The Chicago Bulls are in a rebuild, sure, but the latest power rankings feel way too mean. Law Murray of The Athletic places the team at number 29, according to Pippen Ain’t Easy. That spot puts them ahead of only the Milwaukee Bucks. It’s a brutal take on a roster full of young players and smart moves. The Bulls aren’t good right now, but they aren’t the second-worst team in the league.
This ranking ignores the big changes made this summer. Executive VP Bryson Graham has moved fast to fix the franchise. He brought in a new coach and signed veterans to help the young core. The team won’t make the playoffs this year, but they shouldn’t be ranked below the Nets or Kings. The gap between the Bulls and the bottom teams isn’t as wide as Murray suggests.
Young Stars and Smart Signings
The Bulls have real talent that the rankings overlook. Caleb Wilson was the No. 4 pick in the 2026 draft. He was a star in summer league before the season even started. According to reports, Wilson averaged 23.5 points and 7.3 rebounds in just four games. He also hit seven 3-pointers in his first pro game. He is only 19 years old and ready to play big minutes.
Wilson will play next to Matas Buzelis, who enters his third season. Buzelis is primed to become one of the best players on the team. Josh Giddey is also a key piece. He is a starting-caliber point guard who has gotten much better at shooting. The team added Nic Claxton to play center. This is a huge upgrade over the previous options at that position.
Veteran guard Norman Powell signed a team-friendly deal. He is a clear upgrade over the backcourt the team used last season. Leonard Miller adds depth up front. He played his best basketball after arriving in Chicago. These moves show the team is building a solid foundation.
A Coach Who Knows How to Win
The addition of head coach Tiago Splitter changes the dynamic. He led the Portland Trail Blazers to the playoffs last season. His team was average, yet they still made the postseason. Splitter even earned a win against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. That is a big deal for a new coach in Chicago.
The Bulls won’t light the league on fire this year. They are young and still learning. But the power rankings act like the team has no hope. Ranking them below the Pelicans and Nets seems extreme. The roster has more upside than those teams do.
The rebuild is real, but the path forward looks bright. The Bulls have the pieces to grow fast. Fans shouldn’t panic over a preseason list. The team has the talent to climb the standings soon. Wait for the season to start before judging the final result. The numbers on the board don’t tell the whole story yet.
