The Chicago Bulls appear to have their starting forward duo set heading into the 2026-27 season. Third-year forward Matas Buzelis looks poised to take another leap after an impressive sophomore campaign while rookie Caleb Wilson enters the year with sky-high expectations after an outstanding Summer League. That pairing gives Chicago plenty of length, athleticism and defensive upside.

The bigger question is what happens behind them.

Depth at the forward spots could prove critical over an 82-game season, especially for a young team that is still trying to establish itself in the Eastern Conference. Injuries, foul trouble and inevitable growing pains from Wilson will force head coach Tiago Splitter to lean on his bench throughout the year. Fortunately for Chicago, the Bulls have several intriguing options competing for those backup minutes.

The former fourth overall pick has yet to live up to the expectations that came with being selected so high in the 2020 NBA Draft, but the Bulls are still heavily invested in him. Williams is playing under a significant contract, making it difficult for Chicago to simply move on without giving him every opportunity to carve out a meaningful role.

The biggest key for Williams is rediscovering his outside shot. At his best, he has shown the ability to knock down catch-and-shoot threes, something this Bulls roster desperately needs. Chicago lacks consistent perimeter shooting, making floor spacing one of the team's biggest concerns entering the season. If Williams can return to being a reliable three-point threat, he immediately becomes a valuable piece off the bench.

The other question is one Bulls fans have been asking for years: his motor. Williams has all the physical tools teams covet. He possesses excellent size, strength and defensive potential, but too often he disappears for long stretches. If his aggressiveness and energy improve—and that's still a significant if—he has the skillset to become a quality rotational forward capable of defending multiple positions while stretching the floor offensively.

Acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in last season's Ayo Dosunmu trade, Miller quietly finished the year on a high note in Chicago. The Bulls recently exercised his team option, a sign the organization still believes in his long-term development.

Miller's impact came primarily through effort. He consistently ran the floor, competed defensively and created easy scoring opportunities in transition with his athleticism. Those are traits that often earn young players minutes, even when their offensive games remain a work in progress.

At just 22 years old, Miller still has considerable room to grow. His ball skills and feel continue to improve and if he develops into a more dependable shooter, his ceiling rises significantly. Even incremental improvements to his fundamentals could turn him into a valuable contributor for a Bulls team looking to build around youth and athleticism.

The Bulls selected Essengue 12th overall just one season ago believing in his long-term upside, but his rookie campaign never truly got off the ground. After appearing in just six NBA minutes, shoulder surgery effectively ended his season before it ever began.

That lost year has put him behind schedule. Essengue struggled to make much of an impression during Summer League in Las Vegas and currently appears well outside Chicago's regular rotation entering training camp.

That shouldn't be viewed as a final verdict on his career. Essengue is still only 19 years old, making him one of the youngest players on the roster. His combination of length, mobility and defensive tools remains intriguing, but he needs additional time to develop the finer points of his game while adding much-needed strength to his slender frame. Patience will likely be the organization's approach.

Entering the season, the most likely scenario is Patrick Williams and Leonard Miller opening the year as Chicago's primary backup forwards behind Buzelis and Wilson. Williams offers spacing if his shot returns while Miller provides energy, athleticism and defensive versatility.

Essengue, meanwhile, appears destined for another developmental season. While his path to consistent NBA minutes may take longer than expected, the Bulls can afford to be patient with one of the youngest prospects on their roster. If everything goes according to plan, Chicago's forward depth should provide a solid balance of experience, upside and long-term potential throughout the 2026-27 campaign.