Veteran Center Named Chicago Bulls' Biggest X-Factor in 2026-27

The Chicago Bulls' roster in 2026-27 returns several intriguing players while adding a plethora of new faces to the mix. Draft picks Caleb Wilson (No. 4 overall) and Dailyn Swain (No. 15) provide youth to the rebuilding roster, while free agent addition Norman Powell brings immediate scoring and shooting.

Bryson Graham acquired another veteran this offseason who could make a major impact, although he has largely slid under the radar. Center Nic Claxton has been a competent starter for the past half-decade and should immediately improve the Bulls' defense.

Chicago received Claxton in a three-team deal on June 22 that sent Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets. The Bulls received Claxton for helping facilitate the trade, as absorbing Claxton's $23.3 million contract from Brooklyn allowed Minnesota to re-sign former Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu.

Since Claxton was largely included in the trade for salary-dumping purposes, his potential upside on the floor has received less attention this summer than the additions of Powell, Wilson and Swain. However, Claxton will very likely be a starter when the Bulls open the regular season on Oct. 21 against the Toronto Raptors.

According to Zach Kram of ESPN, Claxton is Chicago's biggest X-factor going into this season.

"Claxton averaged 2.5 blocks per game in 2022-23, but his rim protection has regressed in every season since," Kram wrote. "Last year, he averaged only 1.1 blocks per game while allowing opponents to shoot 60% at the basket. The Bulls are counting on a bounceback from the 27-year-old — not only because they needed a new starting center after trading Nikola Vucevic, but because they proactively traded for Claxton instead of using his $23 million salary slot for a different addition in free agency."  

During his seventh NBA season in 2025-26, Claxton started 68 games for the struggling Nets and averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, in addition to his 1.1 blocks. The 6-foot-11, 215-pound center shot 57.1% from the floor, went 3-of-19 from deep (15.8% 3P) and made 61.6% of his free throws.

Last season was a down year for Claxton, though. In 2022-23, Claxton placed ninth in Defensive Player of the Year voting while averaging 12.6 points (career-high), 9.2 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game (career-high). His scoring has remained consistent since then, but his rebounding and block numbers have plummeted in each of the past two years.

Claxton has been responsible for the Brooklyn Nets' highest win-shares totals in three of the last four seasons, including 2025-26.

The Bulls' center depth was incredibly shallow after trading Vucevic at last season's trade deadline. Behind Claxton is Zach Collins, a 6-foot-9 big man who was limited to 10 games by injuries in 2025-26. Jalen Smith is also an option after two seasons of strong play in Chicago, but the former top-10 pick seems to be much more productive and efficient when playing alongside a true center.