Drew
@drew-h-stevens
Covering the Bulls and Sky for “The Bigs” — the only Black-owned and fully-credentialed independent, sports media outlet in the city.
The Bulls have three nationally televised games this season — tied for sixth-fewest in the league and unchanged from last season. Caleb Wilson may help change that eventually, but the Bulls have to give the league a reason first.
To me, the Bennedict Mathurin conversation isn't really about Bennedict Mathurin. It's about what a rebuilding team should prioritize. Here's a clip from my conversation with @bigdavechgo.bsky.social on the latest episode of “The Run” on @chgo-bulls.bsky.social:
Bryson Graham said after the draft that Tiago Splitter intended to coach a couple of Summer League games. Now it's official. For a team emphasizing development and identity, getting Wilson and Swain on the floor with their new head coach immediately feels intentional.
With Kam Jones now waived, it becomes much clearer that he wasn't the centerpiece of the No. 38 trade.
Courtney Vandersloot, who’s been sidelined since last June due to a right ACL tear, has been upgraded to “questionable” for the Sky’s tilt with the Fire Friday.
Interesting data from @shottracker.bsky.social: Caleb Wilson led the freshman class in dunk rate and points per offensive rebound possession. The Bulls didn't draft a finished offensive player. They drafted someone who creates offense through athleticism, activity and extra possessions.
A fun little coincidence: Dailyn Swain wore No. 3 in college, but he'll wear No. 5 with the Bulls. Swain mentioned after the draft that one of the people he met during his pre-draft workout was John Paxson.
“We’re trying to go uphill with this thing, and I think I can help.” — Dailyn Swain, new Bulls wing
Asked Caleb Wilson what stood out from his conversations with Bryson Graham. Wilson said Graham emphasized "great guys, a great locker room and great team chemistry," adding: "All I need is someone to believe in me for me to want to go to war with them."
Talked to @bigdavechgo.bsky.social on @chgo-bulls.bsky.social about why I'd trade up for Aday Mara. I always enjoy these kinds of draft discussions because reasonable people can watch the same player and come away with very different conclusions.
Kamilla Cardoso and Natasha Cloud have been downgraded to questionable for Sky/Lynx tonight:
After dropping back-to-back games, Tyler Marsh described the Sky’s last few practices as “direct and honest.” “There’s an understanding that we’re better than we’ve played in four of the last six quarters.” The Sky believe they’ve drifted from their defensive identity.
Rob Dillingham underwent a minor surgery to remove a ganglion cyst from his right wrist recently, Bulls say.
Matas Buzelis has been downgraded to “questionable” for Bulls/Suns due to illness:
Josh Giddey lands back on injury report with a “left hamstring strain; injury management” ahead of Bulls/Suns on Sunday. Collin Sexton and Lachlan Olbrich are “probable.”
Josh Giddey has been upgraded to “probable.” Even in a lost season, the Bulls keep testing limits on soft tissue injuries.
Bulls list Josh Giddey, Tre Jones and Nick Richards as “questionable” ahead of their tilt with the Knicks on Friday. Mac McClung, Lachlan Olbrich and Guerschon Yabusele are “probable.”
When Guerschon Yabusele waived his player option to help facilitate a trade to the Bulls, the expectation was he’d play overseas next season. I asked him after the game, and here’s what he said:
As a follow up, I asked Billy Donovan how things are handled internally when a player thinks he’s ready but the medical decision says otherwise:
Third-to-last Bulls home game. Not much on the line in the standings, but plenty underneath them.
Asked Billy Donovan if, with so few games left, there’s any chance of Josh Giddey being shut down this season:
Josh Giddey has been downgraded to “questionable” due to left hamstring tightness.
Nick Richards and Guerschon Yabusele are “questionable” for Bulls/Spurs Monday.