Outside coverage of the Bulls this week centers on whether the roster still needs a center, whether the backcourt has enough juice to win, and a run of trade speculation tied to Milwaukee, Detroit and the Kawhi Leonard deal. None of it is confirmed by the club, and it gets checked here against the numbers on the roster.
Center search. Pippen Ain't Easy pushed the idea twice this week, once using Nikola Jokic as a scouting benchmark and once by calling on the front office to phone Tim Connelly again over the defense. The diagnosis lines up — Chicago's defense ranked 22nd last season — but the roster already has a center: Nic Claxton, signed for $23.1 million this summer.
Guard room debate. The Chicago Sun-Times asked whether the backcourt has the talent to win games, not just pad box scores. Josh Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists last season, and Norman Powell scored 21.7 a night, but a 31-51 finish is the answer so far.
Rollins buzz. Pippen Ain't Easy argued this is Chicago's best window to pry guard Ryan Rollins loose from Milwaukee. Nothing on the books rules it out — the Bulls carry $161.5 million in payroll, well under the $200.4 million tax line, and hold every first-round pick through 2030 to deal from.
Powell's parting shot. Pippen Ain't Easy wrote that Norman Powell's jab at the Lakers made Chicago's offseason look smart in hindsight. Powell signed for $21.5 million and delivered 21.7 points a game last season, the production a line like that has to keep backing up.
Pistons trade talk. A separate Pippen Ain't Easy column floated shipping a "box score baron" to archrival Detroit. Nothing from the club backs it, and with a 16-man roster averaging 23.9 years old, giving up production would cut against the point of the rebuild.
Kawhi's ripple. Pippen Ain't Easy says the Kawhi Leonard trade makes Chicago's opener more interesting. The Bulls open October 21 at Toronto still nursing four injuries — Dailyn Swain, Zach Collins, Josh Giddey and Rob Dillingham — all targeting an October 1 return.
Are the Bulls looking to add a center?
That is outside speculation, not a Bulls report — the club already committed $23.1 million to Nic Claxton at the position this summer.
Could the Bulls trade for Ryan Rollins?
It is speculation from a Bulls-focused outlet, not a confirmed pursuit; Chicago's $161.5 million payroll and full run of first-round picks through 2030 would allow it if the front office chose to.
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