The most shocking moment of the Chicago Bulls preseason did not come from a veteran star or a trade acquisition. It came from the fourth overall pick, Caleb Wilson, who executed a classic turnaround fadeaway jumper during his first live action with the team.
This specific move belongs to a very small group of players, most notably Michael Jordan, who also attended the University of North Carolina. Wilson scored his first bucket early in the first quarter while the Bulls held a 20-17 lead over the Phoenix Suns, per Yahoo Sports. The shot was a direct nod to the legacy of the greatest player to ever wear the jersey, signaling a high ceiling for the new rookie.
The Rebuild Starts With a Fresh Roster
Chicago enters the 2026-27 season with a completely different identity after a disastrous 31-51 campaign. The team finished 12th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs entirely, marking their worst record since 2020. In February, the front office dismantled the veteran core to resolve the issue, completing seven trades—the most in the league—to dispatch Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Nikola Vucevic.
The Bulls used their cap space to add Nic Claxton and Norman Powell while keeping two lottery-range picks in the draft. New head coach Tiago Splitter and basketball boss Bryson Graham now lead a squad built from scratch rather than patched together.
The financial stakes are clear as the team signs Norman Powell to a two-year deal worth approximately $45 million. Powell arrives as a first-time All-Star who averaged 21.7 points and 2.7 three-pointers per game with Miami last season. Nic Claxton joins via a four-team trade with a salary of $23.3 million, bringing 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game to the paint.
These moves show a clear intent to surround Josh Giddey with shooting and rim protection. The roster is younger, faster, and designed to compete for minutes immediately rather than wait for development.
Draft Hype Meets Fantasy Reality
Wilson is not just a draft pick; he is the centerpiece of the team’s fantasy outlook for the upcoming year. Draymond Green has already compared the North Carolina forward to Kevin Garnett, noting his elite defensive potential and all-around skill set.
Despite shooting only 25.9 percent from three before a thumb injury cut his season short, Wilson is projected as an immediate starter. Yahoo Sports notes that he is a favorite for Rookie of the Year honors as he begins the season saturated with hype. He is expected to emerge as the next breakout star from the Windy City.
Alongside Wilson, the Bulls acquired Dailyn Swain using the No. 15 pick to vie for playing time behind Buzelis and Wilson. By exchanging its second-round picks for cash and a trade asset, the team retained just two selections within the first 15.
Sportsbooks have set the win total at 28.5, which stands as the third-lowest in the East. The odds to reach the play-in are +750, while the chance to make the playoffs sits at +1000. Long shot odds of +30000 to win the East reflect the reality of a team in transition.
What the Numbers Say for Fans
The path forward requires patience, but the early signs from the preseason offer a glimpse of potential. Wilson’s ability to hit that fadeaway suggests he has the touch needed to thrive in a high-pressure system. The combination of his draft status, the coaching changes, and the veteran additions creates a unique scenario for fantasy managers.
While the win total is low, the individual stats for players like Powell, Claxton, and Wilson could be significant. The Bulls are not trying to win the East this year; they are trying to build a foundation that lasts. If Wilson can stay healthy and replicate his college success, the rebuild could move faster than anyone expects.
As the regular season approaches, every game will be a test of this new direction. The team waived Jaden Ivey in March and traded away Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton to clear the path. The focus now rests on the young core to deliver results on the court.
Fans will watch closely to see if the hype surrounding Wilson translates into consistent production. The first shot was a promise; the rest of the season will determine if that promise is kept.
