Chicago waived Marquel Sutton and signed forward Jalen Bridges on October 1, the latest move in a camp roster that keeps turning over before a single game has been played. The preseason schedule is set, opening October 7, with the real opener set for October 21 at Toronto.
Bridges in, Sutton out. Chicago waived Marquel Sutton and signed Jalen Bridges on October 1, the latest in a string of camp roster moves since late September. Bridges, 25, has one year of NBA experience and adds forward depth to a rotation still taking shape under Tiago Splitter.
Collins eyes October 7. Zach Collins is out with a right toe issue; his estimated return is October 7, the same day Chicago opens preseason at home against the Suns. The timeline lines up with game one, not a guarantee he actually suits up for it.
Preseason slate set. Chicago opens preseason October 7 against the Suns, hosts the Grizzlies on NBA TV October 9, visits the Nuggets on ESPN October 11, then plays at Milwaukee October 14. The regular-season opener is set for October 21 at Toronto.
Payroll still comfortable. The Bridges move leaves Chicago at $161.5 million in payroll, still under the salary cap and far from the $200.4 million luxury tax line. Giddey ($25.0M), Claxton ($23.1M) and Powell ($21.5M) remain the largest contracts on the books.
Williams' minutes swing. Last season, Patrick Williams averaged 20.5 minutes a night overall, but his last three games jumped to 34 minutes whenever a teammate was out, a sign there is a bigger role available if he forces the issue this fall.
Roster still moving. Twenty-two names sit on the camp roster, with Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain as the first-year draftees and Jaylin Sellers, Peter Suder and Tobe Awaka rounding out the back end. None of it counts until games start October 7.
When do the Bulls play their first preseason game?
October 7 at home against the Suns, the same day Zach Collins' estimated return is targeted.
Will Zach Collins be ready for the season opener?
His estimated return is October 7, a preseason date, not the October 21 regular-season opener at Toronto, so his readiness for that game is unconfirmed.
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