On Tuesday, the Chicago Bulls will open their 2025–26 NBA season, facing the Detroit Pistons at the United Center. After a preseason that not just showed flashes but also exposed familiar cracks, the big question is no longer if they can improve, but how promising their brand-new identity will be.
With years of mediocrity, can the Bulls flip the script from a “39-win” team aiming for Play-In to a deeper East contender in the Playoffs? Here’s my five storylines for the Bulls ahead of the tipoff night.
Oct 7, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago Bulls Head Coach Billy Donovan reacts during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images1. Physicality or Reality?
Billy Donovan has repeatedly said the Bulls’ next chapter must be built on physicality—taking charges, battle at the rim, verticality on screens, rebounding and endurance. He’s taking part in his tenure on this transformation. Yet in the preseason, defensive breakdowns remained too frequent: opponents exposed Chicago’s rim protection and made too many jumpers without much resistance, and communication errors left rotations late or nonexistent. Even with a solid 3–2 preseason record, as Matas Buzelis himself acknowledged, the team didn’t always reflect a cohesive identity in execution.
Isaac Okoro’s defensive toughness could be the backbone for this new identity. Known for his on-ball grit, he’s one of the few veterans whose style already leans into Donovan’s vision. But he can’t carry it alone. The rest of the roster, especially the wings and perimeter defenders, will have to match that effort in rotations, help reads, and team defense. The Bulls can’t simply rely on Nikola Vucevic to bear rim duties; communication, switching, and trimming fouls must tighten as a collective effort.
2. Matas Buzelis’ Leap
The second year is often the turning point for promising young players. Buzelis arrives with momentum: preseason averages (17.6 PPG in your note), increased confidence, improved shooting form, and a more engaged defensive presence. He’s already displayed a motor and a willingness to compete—even contending for charges and crashing boards when asked. This season, the Bulls will lean on the 21-year-old standout more. If he can sustain efficient three-point shooting, improve his shot creation, and anchor second-unit defense at times, he stands to become a genuine two-way weapon.
3. Contract-Year Stakes
Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Vucevic enter their contract year this season, where every game matters—not just for wins, but for their value and legacy.
White is the offensive engine. He’s proven he can score in volume, and his emergence with Josh Giddey has provided the Bulls with a new backcourt identity. But an early calf injury and some inconsistent stretches loom large. This year is his opportunity to both cement his future in Chicago and show he can carry the load as a frontline scorer even in tough matchups.
Dosunmu is eager to remind everyone of his value after an injury-cut 2024-2025 season. The Chicago native showed flashes of improvement last season, especially as an on-ball defender and transition finisher, but consistency and health held him back. With renewed confidence and a full offseason of work, Dosunmu aims to carve out a bigger role and prove he’s more than just a spark plug off the bench.
Vucevic, now 35, is in the last guaranteed year of his contract. Over recent seasons, he’s been remarkably consistent (averaging about 18.5 PPG, 10.1 RPG and 3.5 AST last season). But after a poor preseason and questions about his mobility and defensive fit in younger rotations, he’ll need to show he still has enough to contribute meaningfully. For Chicago, he’s a veteran stabilizer—but also an aging piece whose foothold is slipping with every new season.
4. Bench Depth & Second-Unit Identity
The true test of contending teams is how their bench performs when starters rest or struggle. The preseason gave glimpses of a deeper bench: guys like Tre Jones, Zach Collins, Jalen Smith and Jevon Carter provided bursts when the starters sat. If those contributions become consistent rather than spotty, the Bulls’ margin for error expands. Collins' (wrist surgery) and White's injury (Calf) will likely force more bench-heavy lifts in the early weeks. Expect Donovan to lean harder on lineups with extra length in the first few weeks, given others like Dosunmu (Thumb), Patrick Williams (Hamstring) and Okoro (Knee) aren't free from injuries.
5. Turnovers & Offensive Consistency
Through camp and preseason, turnover control and decision-making surfaced repeatedly. Clean possessions will matter more than ever when elite defenses exploit sloppy play. The Bulls must carry forward the speed they showcased last year—they finished 2nd in pace—but marry it with discipline. In the regular season, the difference between pushing tempo and collapsing into unforced mistakes will define how often Chicago wins close games.