The Chicago Bulls wrap up their 2026 NBA Las Vegas Summer League experience on Friday night when they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Bulls No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson is confirmed out for the remainder of Summer league, ending with 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 2.5 blocks per game.

The matchup has potentially lost a bit of its luster with it looking like Cavaliers rookie Meleek Thomas may be sitting as well. 

Thomas was a draft target of current Bulls vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham and even worked out for the Bulls, potentially being their choice at No. 15 overall.

Chicago instead went with Dailyn Swain out of Texas at 15th overall, and Thomas went No. 34 overall in the 2nd round to the Sacramento Kings, who subsequently traded him to Cleveland. Thomas has averaged 28.3 PPG, 4.3 APG, 2.3 SPG and is shooting 45.8% from the 3-point line over three games in Las Vegas. While he was a SG/combo-guard at Arkansas, he appears to have enough playmaking chops to man the PG spot in spurts for Cleveland. 

The aforementioned Wilson has looked dominant every step of the way throughout Summer league, including 21 points on 7-15 shooting from the field, 8 rebounds and a steal and a block. The concerning part of Wilson's game is he continued struggles with turnovers and free throw shooting. Wilson had 8 turnovers and went 3-6 (50%) from the FT line in the Bulls 105-82 summer league loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.

With Wilson not taking the floor for the Bulls, all eyes will be on No. 15 overall pick Swain and 2025 No. 12 overall pick Noa Essengue. 

Swain has struggled mightily throughout his time in Las Vegas, shooting an almost impossibly low 12.9% from the field. Swain is also averaging 5.0 RPG and more assists (2.3) than turnovers (1.8), so things haven't been hopeless for him. All of that being said, the pressure will be on Swain to have a decent performance on Friday evening. 

Essengue has been solid, yet not impressive, over his time in summer league. The 6-foot-11 Frenchman has been adept at using his large frame to boost his defensive playmaking numbers, collecting 1.3 steals and 1.8 blocks per game heading into Friday night. While Essengue's defensive activity has been good, his offensive involvement has been lacking to a concerning degree.

Essengue has only taken 4.0 FGAs per game throughout summer league. If Essengue wants to impress new Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter heading into the new season, showing some aggressiveness sans Wilson would go a long way.

Chicago Bulls vs. Cleveland Cavaliers

Location: Thomas & Mack Center | Las Vegas, Nevada

Tipoff: Friday, Jul. 17, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. CT

TV: Chicago Sports Network, ESPN

Betting Line: Bulls +3.5 

Over/Under: 184.5

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Chicago Bulls

Caleb Wilson: Out (Rest)

Chicago Bulls vs. Los Angeles Lakers (Jul. 16)