The Big Question: Is This Roster Actually Better?

The center swap. Nic Claxton arrived this offseason to fix a defense that ranked 22nd last season. He is day-to-day with a hamstring issue and targeted to return around the October 21 opener at Toronto, which means the move meant to anchor this defense has not played a single preseason minute.

Powell's two-way case. Norman Powell scored 21.7 points a game last season on 38.0 percent shooting from three. Against Memphis he went 10-for-12 at the line for 17 points in just 19 minutes. He is the clearest argument that this roster actually upgraded rather than just turned over.

Giddey still the hub. Josh Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists last season and remains the $25.0 million centerpiece of the offense. Bryson Graham has not traded him since taking over May 4, but the front office still has not said whether Giddey is the long-term answer or the next asset moved.

One win, one loss. Chicago beat Phoenix 124-117 on October 7, then lost to Memphis 100-104 on October 9 after leading by six and trailing by 14. Caleb Wilson's three cut it to two with 23 seconds left, then he missed the final look. Preseason results settle nothing about whether the rebuild worked.

Bench outscored the question. Starters scored 57 against Memphis, reserves scored 40, and the group that played the last five minutes was Peterson, Bridges, Miller, Essengue and Williams, not one opening-night starter. Splitter is still working out which five he trusts when a game is actually close.

Six bodies day-to-day. Buzelis, Tre Jones, Jaylin Sellers, Zach Collins, Jalen Smith and Claxton are all listed day-to-day entering a roster rebuilt in one offseason. Six question marks before the opener is not the sample size anyone wanted for judging whether the new names fit.