We’re here! It’s officially Day 1, Game 1 of the 2026-27 Chicago Bulls season.
It took a while to get here, and a lot of new faces are ready to kick off a new era of Chicago basketball. Not expecting the dynasty to start tonight, but there’s plenty of fun stuff to look at as the Bulls start the season in Canada, taking on the Toronto Raptors.
The Bulls lock up Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue for at least one more year. Caleb Wilson gets his first taste of rookie hazing. And two more names have been added to Chicago’s injury list for tonight.
Let’s talk Bulls basketball.
Chicago Bulls guard Dailyn Swain. Tonight, the Bulls start their 2026-27 campaign outside of the U.S., taking on the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors have a new but old face playing his first game for the team tonight, as 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard is back with the team alongside All-NBA player Scottie Barnes. This game could be an offensive nightmare for Chicago, who already don’t have a premier No. 1 scoring option and are taking on multiple All-Defensive-caliber players. However, maybe there is some sort of homecoming boost for Norman Powell, playing against the team that gave him his start in the league and his first NBA Championship.A new era begins. Our season is HERE! pic.twitter.com/jqedTDhCXd
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 21, 2026 But Chicago is entering tonight’s game at less than 100% health. Yesterday, we got the update on Nic Claxton and Zach Collins, and one of them is finally active for tonight. But today, Bulls insider K.C. Johnson noted that two more names will be missing from the game.“Dailyn Swain and Jordan Hawkins won’t travel to Toronto, per Tiago Splitter. Both are battling illness,” reported K.C. Johnson.
Rookie Dailyn Swain looked a lot better in the preseason when he started playing off the ball. He’s one of the team’s few perimeter defenders and makes some really good cuts. Splitter said his rotation would be 10-11 guys long, and Swain could’ve been a decent part of that. The other name, two-way guard Jordan Hawkins, had an exceptional two-game stretch for Chicago in the preseason, showcasing the main reason why the Bulls rostered him: his three-point shooting. Hopefully, they don’t miss him too much tonight with Norman Powell and Buddy Hield making their shots, but the Hawk will be missed.Dailyn Swain and Jordan Hawkins won’t travel to Toronto, per Tiago Splitter. Both are battling illness. Jaylin Sellers and Tobe Awaka are traveling but Splitter didn’t detail actives/inactives
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) October 20, 2026 But making up for the loss of those two guys should be a bit of a morale boost for two others: Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue. The Chicago Bulls announced that they’ve exercised their team options for Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue. Buzelis will make $7.6 million, while Essengue will be paid just under $6 million in 2027-28.The Bulls have announced that they've exercised their team options for former first-round picks Matas Buzelis (entering year three) and Noa Essengue (entering year 2).Buzelis will make $7.6 million in 2027-28. Essengue will make $8.2 million in 2028-29.
— Gavin Dorsey (@gjdorsey7) October 20, 2026 Now, no, this isn’t one of those $40 million extensions, but it’s job security that a lot of young players aren’t really getting in the NBA. I mean, just look at Walter Clayton Jr. He was the best player on a National Championship-winning team in college, and two years later, he was traded and waived before he even played in his sophomore season. The Bulls are “linked” to him, but only because they have an open roster spot and no other real legitimate reason. As much as I loved him in college, he’s not a guy that fits this Bulls team too well.The Bulls are a potential landing spot for Walter Clayton Jr., in addition to the Kings.Clayton, the 18th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, was waived by the Grizzlies as part of the team’s roster cuts yesterday. Chicago and Sacramento each have an open roster spot.
— Jake Weinbach (@JWeinbachNBA) October 20, 2026 And finally, in a bit more lighthearted and fun news, Bulls vet Norman Powell has begun the rookie hazing of top-four pick Caleb Wilson. Yes, Caleb could be a higher priority for this roster going forward, but everyone in the NBA needs to earn their stripes. Caleb and fellow rookie Jaylin Sellers were seen carrying a pink Hello Kitty suitcase for their trip to Toronto, courtesy of Norman Powell. And it sounds like it’ll be a mainstay in their wardrobe.“They’re gonna have the backpack,” Norman Powell said. “They’ll have certain things in the backpack… They gotta wear that everywhere, that’s required.”
The Bulls are back! Let’s gooooooo..@npowell2404 gifted our rookies special luggage for their first NBA road trip ?? t.co/urYGAMiLtY pic.twitter.com/CVgdSj3is8
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) October 20, 2026BULLS ON BLEACHER NATION: Go Ad Free | Subscribe to the BN Newsletter
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