Chicago outlets spent the week asking whether a six-point loss to New York counts as progress, and how long Norman Powell stays. Some of it holds up against the roster, the cap and the box score, and some of it gets ahead of the evidence.
Progress or excuse. Ashley Mezewich of Pippen Ain't Easy saw genuine progress behind the 133-127 loss to the Knicks, and Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times called it two steps forward and one back. The progress lasted three quarters. Then Chicago gave up a 19-point lead and New York scored 43 in the fourth. Fourth quarters decide records.
Ball security, partly. Cowley also reported in the Chicago Sun-Times that the Bulls are protecting the ball better. Josh Giddey had 11 assists and two turnovers, and Jalen Smith had none in 30 minutes. Powell and Matas Buzelis each turned it over four times. Cowley called the offense a work in progress, and the box score agrees.
The Wilson comparison. Jeff Agrest of the Chicago Sun-Times sees young-Michael Jordan vibes in Caleb Wilson. Maxwell Ogden of Pippen Ain't Easy says the rookie shows a Bulls resurgence is more than a dream. The production backs the buzz: 20.8 a game, 7.0 boards, and 30 with 14 rebounds against Washington. His 22.2 percent from three does not, and neither does 1-4.
Powell's clock. Ogden argued at Pippen Ain't Easy that Powell's 30-point night against New York shows why his time in Chicago could be short. He also called the trade market the best path forward and urged a close watch on Ty Jerome. Powell is 33, earns $21.5 million and averages 21.6. No trade report involving him has surfaced. This is opinion, not news.
The flexibility is real. Chicago could make a deal if it wanted one. Payroll is $164.3 million, under the cap and far below the $200.4 million tax line. The Bulls own their first-round picks from 2027 through 2030. They have what they need to make a trade, but nobody has reported one.
Rotation questions. G.C. Bellchamber of Pippen Ain't Easy says the Bulls have made their stance on rookie Dailyn Swain clear, and Jack Simone wants more Buddy Hield. Neither player shows up in the Knicks box score. Leonard Miller does: a team-worst -24 across 17 minutes, and he was still in the closing group. Morris Bankston says Buzelis talks more than his game does. Buzelis is shooting 28.0 percent from deep.
Are the Bulls trading Norman Powell?
No trade report involving Powell has surfaced. Pippen Ain't Easy has argued his time in Chicago could be short, but that is opinion; he is 33 and earns $21.5 million.
How is Caleb Wilson playing for the Bulls?
He is averaging 20.8 points and 7.0 rebounds through five games, including 30 points and 14 rebounds against Washington. His three-point shooting, at 22.2 percent, is the weak spot.
