The Chicago Bulls have gotten off to a rough start to the 2026-27 NBA season, but some much-needed help could finally be on the way.

Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter reported Sunday that center Nic Claxton was a full participant in practice, signaling that his long-awaited Chicago debut could be right around the corner.

Claxton has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since the preseason, leaving the Bulls without one of their most important offseason additions through the first six games.

And if Chicago's early-season struggles have shown us anything, it's that this team desperately needs what Claxton brings to the table.

Through six games, the Bulls have struggled mightily to keep opposing teams from scoring. Whether it's defending the perimeter, protecting the paint or simply finishing defensive possessions with rebounds, Chicago has looked overmatched far too often.

While the Bulls have plenty of young talent capable of making exciting plays defensively, they lack the consistency and discipline needed to string together stops.

That's where Claxton comes in.

At 6-foot-11 with tremendous length and mobility, Claxton brings a defensive presence that this Bulls roster simply hasn't had.

He's one of the more versatile defensive centers in basketball, capable of protecting the rim while also switching onto smaller players on the perimeter.

His ability to cover ground defensively should be especially valuable for a Bulls team that has struggled to contain dribble penetration.

Too often, opposing guards are getting downhill with little resistance, forcing Chicago's big men to either abandon their assignments or surrender easy looks at the basket.

Claxton won't solve all of those problems overnight, but having a legitimate rim protector behind the perimeter defenders should make life significantly easier for everyone involved.

His presence could also allow young forwards Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis to play more aggressively defensively, knowing they have someone capable of cleaning things up behind them.

Another glaring weakness for the Bulls has been their inability to consistently control the glass.

Chicago has struggled against bigger, more physical teams, particularly when opponents are able to generate second-chance opportunities.

The Bulls' recent matchups against Boston have been perfect examples of just how much size and physicality this team is missing.

While Claxton isn't necessarily known as a fantastic rebounder, his length, athleticism and activity around the rim should help Chicago compete more effectively on the boards.

Just as importantly, his presence gives Splitter another legitimate option at center and allows Jalen Smith to settle into a more flexible role potentially playing the four in a double big lineup.

Smith has been one of Chicago's more reliable contributors early in the season, but asking him to handle the bulk of the interior responsibilities every night isn't necessarily the best way to maximize his skill set.

Adding Claxton to the rotation should give the Bulls more lineup flexibility and help take some of that pressure off Smith.

While the defensive improvements will likely be the biggest benefit of Claxton's return, his offensive impact shouldn't be overlooked.

The Bulls have struggled to consistently generate quality looks in the half court, often relying on difficult jump shots or individual shot creation when their initial actions break down.

Claxton gives them another way to create easy offense.

He's an excellent lob threat and a strong finisher around the basket, making him a natural partner for Josh Giddey in pick-and-roll situations.

Giddey has struggled to find his rhythm as Chicago's primary floor general this season, but one area where he continues to excel is finding big men around the rim.

Having a vertical threat like Claxton rolling toward the basket could open up passing lanes and force defenses to make tougher decisions.

Claxton's screening and activity around the rim should also help create opportunities for Norman Powell, Buzelis and Wilson.

He's not going to stretch the floor or create his own offense consistently, but he doesn't need to.

The Bulls already have plenty of players looking to score. What they need is someone willing to set screens, roll hard, finish around the rim and do the dirty work that makes everyone else's job easier.

Claxton fits that description perfectly.

Nobody should expect Claxton's return to suddenly transform the Bulls into a playoff contender.

This is still a rebuilding team with plenty of growing pains ahead.

The defensive communication needs improvement, the young players are still learning how to play together and the offense has a long way to go before it can consistently compete with the league's better teams.

But Claxton's return represents an important step toward finding out what this roster can become.

For the first time this season, Splitter could soon have the opportunity to see how his team operates with its intended starting center anchoring the defense.

And for a young team trying to establish an identity built around energy, athleticism and development, that matters.

The Bulls don't need Claxton to be a superstar. They need him to bring consistency, defensive toughness and a reliable presence in the paint.

If he can do that, Chicago should be a much more competitive team moving forward.

The wins might not immediately follow, but the Bulls should finally get a look at what this roster looks like at full strength when Claxton returns to the lineup.