The Chicago Bulls need Josh Giddey to stop trying to be a magician and start being a leader. His path forward is clear: simplify the game to unlock the potential of rookie Caleb Wilson. Chasing flashy stats is a dead end for this squad. The team has shifted its entire focus toward Wilson since drafting him, and Giddey must adapt to that new reality immediately.
Stop the Cute Plays
Bulls coach Tiago Splitter has drawn a hard line in the sand regarding Giddey’s style. This is not a subtle hint. The coach wants results, not highlight reels that end in turnovers. Giddey admitted he struggles with this, telling the Tribune, “I have a tendency to sometimes do things that probably are too cute.” That honesty is a good start, but action matters more than words.
The numbers back up the need for a change. Last season, Giddey posted career highs of 17 points and 9.1 assists per game alongside 3.6 turnovers. He also recorded 13 triple-doubles, which was second in the league only to Nikola Jokić. Yet, those big numbers often came with messy ball handling. Giddey knows the stakes. He stated, “If you want to be the guy with the ball in his hands, you have to be able to take care of it.” The team cannot win if the primary ball handler gives it away too often.
Wilson Needs a Simple Floor General
Caleb Wilson is a 20-year-old forward who thrives on easy finishes, not complex passing schemes. According to Pippen Ain’t Easy, Wilson stands 6’10 as a forward and was a top five high school recruit. During his single year at UNC, he excelled at scoring in transition and at the rim with extreme productivity. Wilson won’t be a lead ball-handler, but he needs someone who can get him the ball without forcing bad passes.
The Bulls’ building blocks are now Wilson and Matas Buzelis, a 6’8 guard under contract until 2029. Splitter’s system emphasizes speed, matching the team’s NBA ranking as the third-fastest pace last season. This style suits Giddey perfectly, as he creates easy buckets at the rim and moves quickly without issue. However, he must cut down on the hard plays. As Giddey noted, “It just felt like I was getting into a hole that was getting deeper and deeper, both individually and as a team.” With $75 million and three years left on his deal, the pressure mounts on him.
In college, Wilson attempted just over one shot per game from 3-point range, making only seven of 27. His shooting is not the issue. The issue is getting him the ball in rhythm. Giddey has made 37.1 percent from 3-point range in his two seasons in Chicago, showing he can shoot, but his passing needs to be cleaner. “It doesn’t matter how it looks as long as it gets done” is the simple message from the coach. Giddey needs to embrace that mindset to stay in Chicago.
