Tiago Splitter Wants an 11-Man Rotation?! 👀🐂 + Claxton OUT & Patrick Williams’ LAST Chance?

Tiago Splitter wants to use a deep Chicago Bulls rotation, Nic Claxton is out for the preseason, and Patrick Williams is once again entering a season with something to prove.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three questions that could shape Chicago’s preseason.

First, Splitter has indicated that he expects to use roughly nine to 11 players, believing the pace he wants Chicago to play makes an eight-man rotation unrealistic. That sounds good in theory, but 240 total player-minutes still have to be divided with purpose. If five starters average 30 minutes, that leaves only 90 minutes for the entire bench. Pasted text

That creates real competition.

Tre Jones has to organize the offense. Buddy Hield, Jordan Hawkins and Jaylin Sellers compete for shooting. Isaac Okoro and Dailyn Swain bring perimeter defense. Jalen Smith, Zach Collins and Tobe Awaka provide frontcourt support, while Patrick Williams, Leonard Miller, Noa Essengue and Swain fight for forward minutes. Pasted text

Then we get into Nic Claxton’s hamstring injury.

Claxton will miss the preseason and be re-evaluated after two weeks. That does not guarantee he returns immediately after that evaluation. With Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson already confirmed as four starters, Chicago still has to decide who handles the center role while Claxton is unavailable. Pasted text

This becomes a major audition for Jalen Smith, whose impact must go beyond scoring. Can he communicate coverages, contain the ball long enough for guards to recover, avoid fouls and finish defensive possessions with rebounds? Pasted text

And finally, it’s FACTS OR CAP:

Does Patrick Williams deserve another fresh start?

Williams averaged 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 20.5 minutes last season while shooting 37.2% from the field, and he still has three seasons and $54 million remaining on his contract. A new coaching staff should evaluate him fairly, but his contract cannot guarantee his minutes. Pasted text

🔥 On today’s Chicago Bulls Central: