With the backcourt depth depleted by recent trades, Chicago could transform Dailyn Swain into a versatile, jumbo-sized playmaker to bridge the gap behind Josh Giddey.
The Chicago Bulls' decision to trade Rob Dillingham for Buddy Hield created an interesting wrinkle in the team's backcourt.
Chicago added another proven shooter and veteran scorer in Hield, but in the process, the Bulls moved on from one of the few players on the roster capable of naturally playing point guard. That leaves Josh Giddey and Tre Jones as Chicago's two primary options at the position.
So what happens if one of them gets hurt?
That's where Dailyn Swain could come into the picture.
Swain is already facing an uphill battle for consistent minutes this season. The Bulls added Norman Powell during the offseason and recently brought in Hield, creating an increasingly crowded group of wings. There may simply not be enough minutes available for Swain to establish himself as a traditional wing right away.
Developing him into a third point guard could change that.
We already saw Chicago experiment with Swain as an on-ball creator during Summer League, and the results weren't exactly encouraging. He looked uncomfortable at times running the offense and struggled with some of the responsibilities that come with being a point guard.
But Vegas shouldn't be the end of that experiment.
Sep 28, 2026; Chiacgo, Il, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Dailyn Swain (5) poses during media day. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn ImagesSwain has the physical tools to make the idea incredibly intriguing. He was one of the best on-ball guards in the country at Texas and put together a ridiculous season as an isolation scorer. He's comfortable creating off the dribble, has the size to absorb contact and possesses the handle necessary to deal with defensive pressure.
The biggest question isn't whether Swain can dribble the basketball. It's whether he can learn how to run a team.
There's a massive difference between being an isolation scorer and being a point guard. Players like Giddey and Jones have spent years learning the rhythms of the position. They know when to push the pace, when to slow things down, how to organize teammates and how to manipulate a defense to create opportunities for someone else.
Those instincts don't develop overnight.
Swain doesn't have them yet, but that doesn't mean he can't develop them.
Chicago also doesn't need Swain to suddenly become its primary point guard. Giddey will handle the majority of those responsibilities, with Jones providing a natural backup. Swain's opportunity would come as a developmental third option who could step into the role when injuries or matchups demand it.
If he eventually becomes comfortable there, the Bulls could have something extremely valuable.
A jumbo-sized combo guard capable of defending multiple positions, creating his own shot and initiating offense would give Chicago another versatile piece to build around. It also fits perfectly with general manager Bryson Graham's "SLAP" philosophy of prioritizing size, length, athleticism and positional versatility.
The Summer League experiment may have looked rough, but that's exactly why the Bulls should keep pushing it.
Swain's easiest path to playing time might not be competing with Chicago's crowded collection of wings. It could be learning an entirely new position.
And if he can eventually combine his natural scoring ability with legitimate point guard instincts, the Bulls could turn a roster problem into one of their more interesting developmental projects.
