Published for Bulls fans — October 2026
By Toxlay Sports Editorial Team · Last updated October 19, 2026
The Club
The Chicago Bulls are basketball royalty. Founded in 1966 and based in Chicago, the Bulls play at the United Center in their legendary red and black. They own the greatest dynasty the sport has ever seen: six NBA championships (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998), the Michael Jordan era, the 72-10 season. No franchise’s colors carry more history.
The Reset: A New Era Begins
Last season was the breaking point: 31-51, 12th in the East, a fourth straight year without playoffs, and a franchise-record 11-game losing streak in February. At the deadline, the Bulls made a league-high seven trades, sending out Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Nikola Vucevic. Then the full reset: the front office was dismissed, Billy Donovan stepped away after six seasons, and Bryson Graham took over basketball operations with Tiago Splitter — fresh off leading Portland to the playoffs as interim coach — as the new head coach. For the first time in years, the direction makes sense.
Best Players Right Now (2026-27 Roster)
Josh Giddey, 23, Point Guard — The centerpiece. The 6’8″ Australian runs the show, pushes the pace, and the entire rebuild orbits around his playmaking.
Norman Powell, 33, Shooting Guard — The veteran All-Star, signed for 2 years/$45M after a strong run in Miami. Elite floor-spacing and instant offense.
Matas Buzelis, 22, Small Forward — The young wing whose shooting and defensive versatility keep climbing; a future cornerstone.
Caleb Wilson, 19, Power Forward — The No. 4 pick in the 2026 Draft and the biggest reason for optimism. At North Carolina he averaged 19.8 points and 9.4 rebounds on 57.8% shooting — is he the first true franchise cornerstone since Derrick Rose?
Nic Claxton, 27, Center — Acquired from Brooklyn to anchor the middle; coming off a career-high 3.7 assists per game with elite rim protection.
Tre Jones, 26, Point Guard — Hyper-efficient backup who stabilizes the second unit.
Isaac Okoro, 25, Guard — Defense-first stopper.
Zach Collins, 28, Center — Re-signed on a two-year, $17M extension; toughness inside.
Dailyn Swain, 19, Guard/Forward — The No. 15 pick; rookie energy on the wing.
Head coach: Tiago Splitter — First season, first full-time head coaching job, and already the face of the new era.
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Last Season (2025-26): Rock Bottom
31-51 — worst record since 2020, first time missing even the play-in since 2021, the 28th-ranked defense (121.5 points allowed per game). But the teardown was the point: seven deadline trades, two lottery picks kept, and cap space weaponized.
This Season (2026-27): The Youth Movement
Projected starters: Giddey, Powell, Buzelis, Wilson, Claxton — a group built on pace, ball movement and upside. Vegas set the win total around 28.5, but the preseason has flashed promise: wins over Phoenix (124-117), Milwaukee (125-104) and Minnesota (133-116) on October 17. The season opens October 21 at Toronto. Nobody expects a title — everybody expects a direction.
Biggest Rivalries — The Wars
1. Detroit Pistons — THE classic. The Bad Boys broke Jordan’s heart before the Bulls broke through. Still the fiercest rivalry in franchise history.
2. New York Knicks — The 1990s Eastern Conference wars: Ewing vs. Jordan, fight after fight, classic after classic.
3. Cleveland Cavaliers — Central Division blood feud, renewed with both teams retooling.
4. Milwaukee Bucks — Another Central Division war — and the Bulls just hung 125 on them in preseason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is coaching the Bulls in 2026-27?
Tiago Splitter — his first full-time head coaching job, with Bryson Graham taking over basketball operations after the front office was dismissed.
When the Bulls play the Raptors in 2026-27?
October 21 at Toronto — the season opener and the first look at the rebuilt roster.
Who are the best Bulls players right now?
Josh Giddey (the 6'8" centerpiece point guard), veteran All-Star Norman Powell and No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson.
What was the Bulls' record last season?
31-51 — 12th in the East, a fourth straight year out of the playoffs and a franchise-record 11-game February losing streak, which triggered the full reset.
Show Your Colors
True fans wear it. If you bleed red and black, gear up with quality fan sportswear — jerseys, tees and athletic wear built for real supporters:
Shop Fan Sportswear at Toxlay Sports →
Sources & official links: Chicago Bulls official site · Chicago Bulls tickets
See red — the new era starts now.
