Tiago Splitter Wants an 11-Man Rotation?! šš + Claxton OUT & Patrick Williamsā LAST Chance?
22m | Oct 6, 2026Tiago 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 todayās Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down three questions that could shape Chicagoās 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 Claxtonās 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, itās 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
š„ On todayās Chicago Bulls Central:
- š How Splitterās 9-to-11-man rotation could work
- ā±ļø Why 240 available minutes still create difficult decisions
- šÆ Jordan Hawkinsā place in the shooting competition
- š Okoro vs. Swain for defensive minutes
- š¬ How Claxtonās absence changes Chicagoās defensive coverage
- š„ Jalen Smithās opportunity at center
- šŖ Tobe Awakaās preseason audition
- š§ What Matas and Caleb must do defensively without Claxton
- š§¢ FACTS OR CAP on Patrick Williams
- āļø Why P-Will must earn minutes over Chicagoās younger forwards
š¬ Who do you think gets squeezed out if Tiago Splitter settles on a nine-man rotation?
š Tap into Chicago Bulls Central with Haize!
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