Chicago is carrying three players through a teardown and a coaching change: Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Nic Claxton. Whether they are the core of the next good Bulls team or trade bait for whatever comes after them is the argument that will define Tiago Splitter's first season.
The contracts say foundation. Giddey's $25.0 million and Claxton's $23.1 million are the two largest deals on the books, with Norman Powell's $21.5 million right behind. Payroll sits at $161.5 million, under the $165.0 million cap. Chicago paid to keep this group, not to flip it by December.
The lineup data agrees. Across last season's three most-used five-man groups - Vučević-Huerter-Okoro-Giddey-Buzelis (+4.2 net in 13 games), Vučević-White-Okoro-Giddey-Buzelis (-0.9), and Yabusele-Okoro-Jones-Giddey-Buzelis (-9.9) - Giddey and Buzelis are the only two players who show up in all three. Everyone around them got traded or shuffled.
The record argues back. Chicago finished 31-51 last season with Giddey and Buzelis already on the floor for most of it, an offense that ranked 25th at 112.1 and a defense that ranked 22nd at 117.4. Four straight seasons out of the playoffs is a case for change, not patience.
Seven trades is precedent. Chicago's braintrust already moved Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry, Kevin Huerter and Emanuel Miller in seven separate deals at last season's deadline. A staff willing to blow it up once will do it again if the net rating stays underwater.
New voices, no old ties. Bryson Graham took over as executive vice president of basketball operations in May and hired Splitter the next month. Neither one built this roster, which cuts both ways - they can commit to developing Giddey, Buzelis and Claxton, or move on from them without the baggage of having drafted or signed them.
Center chatter hasn't quieted. Claxton signed for $23.1 million this summer, yet Pippen Ain't Easy's Morris Bankston wrote this week that a new center could still lift Chicago's roster further. That is one outlet's take, not a Bulls plan, but it shows the position is not treated as settled.
Where this notebook lands. Foundation, for now. Chicago paid Giddey and Claxton like building blocks, and Giddey and Buzelis were the one constant across every lineup that worked last season. Splitter's job is proving that bet right before management decides it is time to deal again.
Will the Bulls trade Josh Giddey or Matas Buzelis?
Nothing in Chicago's current rumors points to a deal for either. The contracts and last season's lineup data suggest both are viewed as building blocks, not trade chips.
What is the Bulls' salary cap situation?
Chicago's payroll is $161.5 million, under the $165.0 million cap and well below the $200.4 million luxury tax threshold, leaving room to add or absorb money in a trade.
More from The Madison Street Notebook
all Bulls news →
Morning · Thu, Sep 17Four Bulls Nurse Injuries With Preseason Ten Days Out
From the archives · Wed, Sep 16From Kerr's Expansion Bulls to Splitter's Rebuild
By the numbers · Wed, Sep 16Bulls By The Numbers: 31-51, A Net Rating Underwater, Cap Room To Spare
Morning · Wed, Sep 16Bulls Notebook: Minutes Are Moving Before the Games Do
Rumor check · Tue, Sep 15Rumor Check: Staff Is Set, Center Talk Is Still Just Talk
Around the beat · Tue, Sep 15Around the Beat: Bulls Debate Guards, a Center, and Trade Season