Nic Claxton's listing flipped to out on Monday, with a return now penciled in for November 4. The Bulls open Wednesday night in Toronto, and three other rotation players are still in doubt.
Claxton got worse, not better. Monday's update moved Claxton to out with the hamstring that has shelved him since October 5. Rory Maher of Hoops Rumors reported he will miss roughly two more weeks. The projected return of November 4 skips Toronto, Milwaukee, Washington and Boston. He has yet to play a minute for Chicago since arriving from Brooklyn.
The hole in the middle. Last season Claxton averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 27.8 minutes. Jalen Smith and Zach Collins are the other listed bigs, and Collins is nursing a right toe problem. Who takes the first center minutes in Toronto is the call Tiago Splitter has not made public.
Three names, one deadline. Isaac Okoro, Tobe Awaka and Collins all carry an October 21 projected return. That is the opener itself, no cushion. Okoro matters most: the Vucevic-Huerter-Okoro-Giddey-Buzelis group was Chicago's best five last season, plus 4.2 net over 65 minutes, and he is the only piece of it still here besides Giddey and Buzelis.
Toronto is no soft landing. The Raptors went 46-36 last season with a plus 2.9 net rating. Kawhi Leonard averaged 27.9 points in 65 games and Scottie Barnes went 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists across 80. Darko Rajakovic's team has four days of rest, same as Chicago. Nate Bittle is their lone question, a right foot issue.
Minus 5.3 is the baseline. That was Chicago's net rating last season, built on the 25th-ranked offense and 22nd-ranked defense, a 31-51 finish and a fourth straight spring without playoff basketball. Splitter inherited that number. The first week offers no runway: Milwaukee Friday, Washington at home Saturday, Boston Monday.
Wilson's first real night. Caleb Wilson, the fourth pick, closed the preseason with 16 points against Minnesota after putting up 17 at Denver. Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times wrote that the 20-year-old is not putting too much pressure on his debut. Wednesday will say whether that holds against Leonard and Barnes.
Is Nic Claxton playing in the Bulls opener?
No. He was listed out Monday with the hamstring injury, and his projected return is November 4.
Who is questionable for the Bulls against Toronto?
Isaac Okoro, Tobe Awaka and Zach Collins all carry an October 21 projected return, so each is a game-time decision.
