Full Breakdown
Bulls Look to Fill Final Roster Spot Ahead of 2026-27 Season
7/22/2026, 1:24:26 PM
Core Situation
The Chicago Bulls head into the 2026-27 season with 14 of the 15 roster spots occupied. Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham has left the final slot open, giving the franchise flexibility to add another player before the regular season begins.
Front-Office Strategy
Graham has used the team’s ample salary-cap space to sign veteran contributors on short-term deals, notably Norman Powell and Zach Collins, each on contracts with a team option. He also elected not to use either of the Bulls’ second-round draft picks, deliberately preserving a bench spot for free-agency activity. Graham has publicly stressed the importance of roster flexibility and indicated a willingness to act as a “salary-dump” destination, potentially absorbing a player from another team in exchange for future assets.
Candidate Options
- Promote undrafted guard Jaylin Sellers – After the 2026 Summer League, Sellers averaged 15.6 points, 2.4 assists, 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. His college three-point shooting (42.9 % on 5.6 attempts per game) and defensive intensity are cited as strengths, though his Summer League efficiency was described as limited. Graham could offer him a non-guaranteed, multi-year contract, with the option to move on later or use the contract in a trade.
- Add a veteran shooter – Available minimum-contract options include Seth Curry, Doug McDermott, Gabe Vincent, and Bruce Brown. Each has a proven shooting record or positional versatility, but none are expected to secure a permanent rotation role.
- Facilitate a salary-dump trade – Graham could take on a player from another franchise, possibly sending out Isaac Okoro or Jalen Smith, thereby converting the open slot into a future asset.
Implications for the Team
The Bulls posted a 29.4 % three-point shooting clip in the 2026 Summer League, ranking seventh-worst among participants. Adding a reliable perimeter threat or a defensively versatile guard could address this deficiency while preserving the development focus on younger players such as Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, and Noa Essengue.
Outlook
The final roster spot remains unfilled, and Graham’s emphasis on flexibility suggests the Bulls may continue to explore both player-development and asset-acquisition strategies through the early part of the season.
