As Josh Giddey prepares to return Thursday against Toronto, what the Bulls' rotation will look like becomes a question looming.

We might get a preview before tipoff from Wes Unseld Jr., the Bulls' assistant head coach who will replace Billy Donovan for one game while Donovan mourns his father's death. But with this drastically reshuffled roster, here's what the rotation should look like going forward.

When Giddey feels healthy enough to start, expect Anfernee Simons to pair with him in the backcourt. Isaac Okoro and Matas Buzelis will likely switch back and forth on the wings depending on matchups, though I prefer seeing Buzelis slide to the three. He's expected to handle the ball more frequently for the rest of the season, and we've witnessed his jump from year one to year two — a rough but sharp progress. While ball-sharing could become an issue for the sophomore with so many capable handlers on the roster, Buzelis is poised to help lead the team's final playoff push.

With the frontcourt shorthanded after losing Nikola Vucevic and Zach Collins, and the recovery timeline for Collins still unclear, Jalen Smith will undoubtedly crack the starting lineup. He's having his best season with Chicago (10.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG), and if Donovan reverts to his preferred small-ball rotation, Smith becomes the ideal lone big who can stretch the floor from three-point range.

What if Donovan occasionally wants a double-big starting lineup? Guerschon Yabusele would be the logical partner for Smith. Despite standing just 6-foot-7, Yabusele does far more than his height suggests. After posting only 2.7 points per game in limited action with the New York Knicks before landing in Chicago, he's immediately broken out as a solid scoring presence with the Bulls, averaging 10.8 points in four games. The only lingering concern is a shorthanded size — only Leonard Miller stands taller than 6-foot-9 on the entire roster, which could devastate the Bulls' interior defense.

The Bulls once boasted an energetic bench with Ayo Dosunmu's presence. Since losing him in the trade, whether Tre Jones can lead the second unit remains an open question. However, Colin Sexton presents another compelling candidate. The eight-year veteran brings not just scoring touch but unwavering energy and infectious support for teammates—potentially serving as the X-factor in Chicago's survival for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Rob Dillingham, along with Jaden Ivey, who are desperately trying to rediscover his rookie-year form in Detroit after a major injury setback, should contribute productively off the bench. With Collins' return timeline uncertain, Nick Richards or even Miller might see extended minutes in the paint.

However, the team has to face an uncomfortable reality: once the team reaches full health, how should Donovan arrange this guard-heavy roster? If Jones remains injured, Sexton and Ivey will definitely pair together. But there's no justification for eliminating Jones' spot entirely, as he even deserved starting consideration earlier this season and provided multiple sparks for Chicago. Sacrificing one guard's playing time becomes inevitable.

Additionally, if Donovan doesn't deploy Patrick Williams extensively, should we expect pickup-basketball lineups from the second unit — featuring four guards with one forward or center? That doesn't inspire confidence.

Deep down to the reserves, I don't expect much from Yuki Kawamura, who has shown absolute impact in orchestrating the offense, or Mac McClung, for the rest of the season. You might see them in the final games if the Bulls surrender their Play-In hopes entirely. If Donovan wants to reinforce size or defense, he'll likely turn to Lachlan Olbrich, who's been called up 17 times this season — the most among Chicago's three two-way players.

Overall, the rotation will remain variable as players find their rhythm, especially for newcomers adjusting to Donovan's system. You might see Ivey crack the starting lineup for stretches, or the entire rotation could shift dramatically if injuries strike again.

Meanwhile, Giddey himself must navigate this massive roster overhaul, just as Buzelis and others have been forced to do. With 27 games remaining, this represents a pivotal late-season stretch for securing a Play-In spot — assuming that's still the goal.