An overlooked Bulls youngster has a chance to ascend this season.
The Chicago Bulls are a little less than a month away from Oct. 21's regular season opener in Toronto against the Raptors and coach Tiago Splitter's team has a significant amount of improvements to make if it hopes to compete for a playoff spot.
Offseason talk has mostly centered around the Bulls' big forward duo of Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson, but the backcourt is filled with talented players who could take a step forward this coming season.
One of them is former first round draft pick Rob Dillingham, who was acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves this past February.
Dillingham got the spotlight treatment earlier this week as he was named as a possible breakout player.
Apr 12, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Rob Dillingham (7) dribbles against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half at American Airlines Center. Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images 'A Lot to Prove'
Dillingham has a lot to prove after he was sent to the Bulls in a deal that looked bad for the former Timberwolves guard's camp, less than two years after he was selected eighth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report seems to think the trade will light a fire under the former Kentucky Wildcats college star, who has the look of a player with plenty of talent who needs a lot more reps to develop.
"Rob Dillingham has a lot to prove after the Minnesota Timberwolves eventually gave up on him in year two," Swartz wrote.
"Dillingham showed some growth in a consistent role off the bench. The 21-year-old averaged 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 0.9 steals in 21.5 minutes, even while sharing shots and touches with players like Collin Sexton and Anfernee Simons."
Three-Point Shot a Key Need for Dillingham
Swarz said that Dillingham needs to work on his three-point shot to become a better fit on coach Splitter's team. Sexton and Simons are long-gone, giving Dillingham an opportunity to fill the void.
"Both veterans are now gone, with Norman Powell added in their place," Swarz wrote. "This should ensure Dillingham still has a role in the rotation for a young Bulls team searching for players with upside.
"Dillingham needs to become a more consistent three-point shooter playing alongside Josh Giddey and will have to battle defensively given his limited size."
With Giddey bringing size to the point guard position and both Buzelis and Wilson showing positional versatility, Dillingham's lack of size could be easily covered up this season on Splitter's team.
His speed and potential give the Bulls a young player who has a chance to develop at his own pace on a young team with relatively lax expectations compared to the Timberwolves' title chasing team.
That combination could help Dillingham surprise Bulls, and NBA fans, this year as he seeks to become the top tier talent he was seen as in 2024.
