There’s been hope surrounding previous Bulls draft picks the last 18 years.
Plenty of hope.
Hope that Doug McDermott was worth trading for with Denver in 2014, hope that Bobby Portis could turn into the next Joakim Noah a year later. Heck, there was even initial excitement around Denzel Valentine when he was grabbed at No. 14 in the 2016 June draft and a month later the Michigan State standout was hitting a game-winner in the Summer League Championship game.
Wendell Carter, Chandler Hutchison, Patrick Williams selected No. 4 overall in 2020 … hope, hope, hope.
The organization became experts in building it on draft night and the Bulls fans became well-versed in slurping it up.
Sometimes the gut-punch was immediate, like when it was obvious that Marquis Teague (2012) was not a legit NBA player just a few months into his rookie year. Other times it was a slow burn, like the former front office continuing to remind everyone of the fact that Williams was only 18, then 19, then he was only 20.
Be patient.
That’s why the Caleb Wilson experience feels different.
Sure, there’s hope surrounding the rookie out of North Carolina, but there’s also building momentum of certainty. A certainty not felt since Derrick Rose was selected No. 1 overall 18 years ago.
And it’s not just local hype or Bulls messaging, either. It’s nationally, other executives, other NBA coaches acknowledging that Wilson’s rise to stardom feels inevitable.
That’s why all eyes will be on the Bulls Wednesday night in Toronto, as Wilson and his teammates tip-off the 2026-27 regular-season campaign.
“I’m just really excited for the opportunity to play,” Wilson said of his pending real-game debut. “I mean I’ve been waiting on this opportunity my whole life and it’s finally here, so just really a lot of excitement.”
Bulls fans have been waiting almost just as long for a player like this.
And the good news seen throughout the summer, into training camp, and then the preseason games? Wilson not only talks about chasing down greatness but embraces the work it takes to chase that down and does so with a work ethic not seen by many 20-year-olds.
His new executive vice president of basketball operations in Bryson Graham has seen that for months.
Graham detailed his own day-to-day since drafting Wilson and admitted anytime he’s been in the Advocate Center at night he can hear a bouncing ball and music. Two sure signs that it’s Wilson getting in extra shots.
For Wilson, however, it’s just what you do in pursuit of lofty goals.
“I feel like I’m prepared for the moment and the opportunity,” Wilson said. “It’s just a matter of going out there and show what I can do.”
Not the only player offering up hope to this fan base, either.
While Wilson feels like the headliner, Matas Buzelis has a chance to be one heck of an opening act, entering Year 3 in what could be a breakout season.
There’s a real possibility that the Bulls are a mere 30-win team, but if Buzelis and Wilson prove to be a one-two punch that averages 20 and 10 and look like foundation pieces for this rebuild, pack up the gear in mid-April and call it a very successful season.
Step 1 comes against the Raptors, however, and does so even with coach Tiago Splitter trying to calm the hype.
“Caleb has a tower of things on his mind right now, you know,” Splitter said. “Like first NBA game, how we play on offense, how we play on defense, there’s a lot of things going on, and sometimes you just got to relax a little bit and just go out and hoop. Slowly he’ll get those things better. I just want to see them enjoying and competing every night, and that’s all I can ask.”
NOTE: The Bulls announced they picked up the options for both Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue. Buzelis is set to become a restricted free agent in 2028 and could be extended next summer.
