Bulls Notebook: Dillingham Trade Report, Four New Camp…

By the Bulls Nightly Desk · Sunday, September 27

The Bulls are still 0-0 with the preseason set to open October 7 against the Suns, but training camp has generated real moves: four players joined this week and a trade sending Rob Dillingham to Charlotte for Buddy Hield has been reported by multiple outlets without yet showing up as a completed transaction. Chicago's payroll sits at $161.5 million, under the salary cap ahead of the October 21 opener at Toronto.

Bulls Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Dillingham trade report. ESPN reported on September 26 that the Bulls are sending Rob Dillingham to the Hornets for Buddy Hield, and the Chicago Sun-Times' Joe Cowley and Hoops Rumors both followed with matching reports. Dillingham's injury status was cleared that same day. No transaction has been logged confirming the trade, so it stands as a report, not a finished move.

Four new arrivals. Marquel Sutton, Orlando Robinson, Drew Peterson and Brandon Boston all joined the Bulls on September 27, two days after Houston Mallette left the team. Peter Suder, added September 22, remains on the roster. Camp continues to add bodies with no games played yet this season.

Payroll picture. Chicago sits at $161.5 million in payroll, under the salary cap and well below the $200.4 million luxury tax line. Josh Giddey's $25.0 million is the largest number on the books, followed by Nic Claxton at $23.1 million, Norman Powell at $21.5 million and Patrick Williams at $18.0 million.

Camp injuries. Josh Giddey (ankle), Zach Collins (toe) and Dailyn Swain (wrist) are all working back from injury, each with an expected return around October 1. All three are on the same timeline to be ready as the preseason opens.

Preseason slate. The Bulls open the preseason October 7 at home against the Suns, then host the Grizzlies October 9 before back-to-back road trips: October 11 at Denver, airing on ESPN, and October 14 at Milwaukee. The regular season opens October 21 at Toronto.

Bench habit. Tre Jones hit 20 points in relief four times over his last five appearances last season, all without a start. It's a habit built without ever cracking the starting five, and it's the kind of production Splitter will need again if this camp turns into a rotation battle.

On deck Preseason opens October 7 at home against the Suns, with the regular season opener October 21 at Toronto.

Is the Rob Dillingham to Hornets trade for Buddy Hield official?

No. ESPN, the Chicago Sun-Times and Hoops Rumors have all reported the deal, but no transaction confirming a trade has been recorded as of September 27.

When do the Bulls play their first preseason game?

October 7 at home against the Suns, the first of four preseason games before the October 21 regular season opener at Toronto.