The Big Question: Does Chicago's Preseason Finish Mean Anything?

The real question. Chicago closed preseason 2-1, finishing with a 133-116 finale against Minnesota. The record resets to 0-0 when the games start counting October 21 at Toronto. The real question is whether anything from these three preseason games tells Splitter's staff what this roster actually is.

Signs it's real. In the finale, the second unit outscored Chicago's starters 70-56, led by Caleb Wilson's 16 points and seven rebounds and reserve guard Jordan Hawkins's 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting, including 4 of 5 from three. That is the kind of depth Splitter will need once the games count.

Signs it's not. Preseason matchups do not resemble opening night. On October 17 the Bulls cut four camp invitees, Minnesota leaned heavily on reserves Isaiah Evans (30 minutes, 21 points) and Drew Timme (27 minutes, 18 points) rather than its regulars, and Okoro, Claxton and Awaka are still day-to-day. None of that says much about Splitter's real rotation.

Claxton's status. Nic Claxton has been day-to-day since October 5 with a strained hamstring, with an estimated return of October 21 — opening night at Toronto. The Chicago Sun-Times reported he is expected to be the only Bull unavailable to start the season, which undercuts whatever answer the preseason gave at center.

Where this lands. The honest answer splits the difference: Wilson, Buzelis and the reserves have shown real production across these three preseason games, but a 2-1 record built without Claxton will not survive the tests at Toronto, Milwaukee and Boston in the next five days. The preseason is a hint, not a verdict.