Bulls Have One Of NBA’s Youngest Teams… So Why Is Their Future Ranked 27th?!

The Chicago Bulls have committed heavily to youth — but ESPN still ranks their long-term future near the bottom of the NBA. So which view of this franchise is closer to reality? 👀🐂 On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer break down Chicago entering the 2026-27 season with the 7th-youngest roster in the NBA and the league’s 3rd-youngest coaching staff. The Bulls are not simply developing young players anymore; they are putting a young roster in the hands of a young coaching group led by Tiago Splitter. That creates an interesting question: is all this youth an advantage, or could it create growing pains on both sides? With Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Noa Essengue, Rob Dillingham, Jaylin Sellers, Leonard Miller, and other developmental pieces in the organization, Chicago has plenty of upside. But the challenge for Splitter and his staff will be turning potential into actual NBA production while still trying to establish a winning culture. Haize and Pat also react to ESPN ranking the Bulls 27th in its NBA Future Power Rankings. How can a franchise with multiple young prospects, improved roster flexibility, and a completely revamped basketball operation still grade so poorly for the future? Are there legitimate concerns about star power, draft assets, and proven talent — or is Chicago’s young core being underrated? Plus, the guys discuss Caleb Wilson working out with LeBron James ahead of his rookie season. Wilson has already received plenty of national attention, but getting offseason work alongside one of basketball’s most accomplished players creates another fascinating development opportunity. What can Caleb take from LeBron when it comes to preparation, physicality, decision-making, and approaching the game professionally? Topics Include: Bulls have the NBA’s 7th-youngest roster Chicago has the 3rd-youngest coaching staff Tiago Splitter’s challenge developing a young roster ESPN ranks the Bulls 27th in Future Power Rankings Is Chicago’s future really among the NBA’s worst? Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson as core pieces Bulls’ biggest long-term strengths and weaknesses Caleb Wilson working out with LeBron James What Wilson can learn from a future Hall of Famer Bulls development expectations entering 2026-27 The Bulls have made youth and development central to their new direction. Now they have to prove that having young talent is different from having good young talent — and that Tiago Splitter’s staff can turn those prospects into the foundation of the next competitive Bulls team. 🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat debate Chicago’s youth movement, ESPN ranking the Bulls’ future 27th, and what Caleb Wilson can gain from working with LeBron James. Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Betterhelp This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Aura Cybersecurity Start your free trial today at https://aura.com/aware. Protect yourself now. Square Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/NBA ! #squarepod FanDuel Make this Your Most Rewarding Season Ever with FanDuel. Get $350 in Bonus Bets — GUARANTEED — when you bet five dollars every day for seven days. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)