Bulls Ink Veteran Big Man to NBA Deal in Wake of Caleb Wilson Injury

The Chicago Bulls, looking to piece things together after the injury to Caleb Wilson, have signed veteran center Orlando Robinson to an NBA deal.

Robinson, 26, has bounced around the league since going undrafted in 2022, appearing in games for the Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, Toronto Raptors, and Orlando Magic. He has averaged 4.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 13.3 minutes across 115 games at the NBA level.

As a three-year starter at Fresno State, he tallied the second-most points in program history (700) and averaged 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds during his final season as a junior. Robinson has since struggled to catch on with an NBA roster, leaving the Heat in 2024 after two seasons and splitting the 2024-25 season between the Kings and the Raptors. He has played for several G League squads, most recently the Windy City Bulls, with whom he signed a training camp contract at the end of September.

Robinson has been a standout among G League centers in limited action this season, ranking second in points per game (13.7), fifth in rebounds per game (8.0), and first in assists per game (2.7) while having the fourth highest usage rate (28.2%).

The Windy City Bulls are off to a 3-0 start, and Robinson's performance through thus far has proved impressive enough to earn an NBA deal. He should be thrust into action right away with rookie Wilson sidelined for 4-6 weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken hand. Robinson will also play an important role in absorbing minutes for fellow big man Nic Claxton as he eases back in from a hamstring injury that held him out for the first several games of the season.

Managing the loss of Wilson will be no easy task, as the 20-year-old leads the struggling team in minutes per game (30.8), field goals attempted (16.2) and ranks second in both points per game (18.9) and rebounds per game (6.2). Jalen Smith, who has already shouldered a massive load this season with Claxton missing time and then returning to limited minutes, will have to assume more responsibility on the glass and in the scoring column.

The Bulls, 1-9 and on an eight-game losing streak, will also need more from Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey who have struggled to elevate their games so far this year. With the lack of depth at the center position, Robinson should be presented with the best opportunity so far in his career to carve out some playing time with increased usage.