Are The Bulls Really A Bottom 3 Team?! Josh Giddey MIP Case & No More Moves Coming

Are the Chicago Bulls really a bottom three team in the NBA, or is the national conversation already underrating what this new-look roster can become? 👀🐂

On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer break down whether the Bulls deserve to be viewed near the bottom of the league after an offseason that added Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Nic Claxton, Norman Powell, and Zach Collins while keeping Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Jalen Smith, Rob Dillingham, and others in the mix.

The guys discuss why some analysts may see Chicago as one of the NBA’s weakest teams, but also why the Bulls may have enough young talent, defensive upside, transition play, and veteran scoring to outperform those low expectations. Is this team still flawed? Absolutely. But is it clearly bottom three? That debate is wide open.

Haize and Pat also dive into Josh Giddey’s Most Improved Player case heading into the 2026-27 season. If Giddey takes another step as a scorer, shooter, lead playmaker, and offensive organizer under Tiago Splitter, could he become a serious MIP candidate? The Bulls’ ceiling may depend heavily on whether Giddey proves the front office was right to view him as part of the core.

Plus, the guys react to the idea that no more major moves are coming for the Bulls before the season. Is Bryson Graham being smart by staying patient and evaluating the roster first? Or should Bulls fans be frustrated that Chicago still has clear needs, especially when it comes to shooting, wing depth, and lineup balance?

Topics Include:

Are the Bulls a bottom three team in the NBA?

Why national expectations are so low for Chicago

Can the Bulls outperform their projections?

Josh Giddey’s 2026-27 Most Improved Player case

What Giddey must improve to enter the MIP conversation

How Tiago Splitter can unlock Giddey’s game

No more major Bulls moves expected

Did Bryson Graham do enough this offseason?

Bulls roster strengths and biggest concerns

Chicago’s path to being better than people think

The Bulls may not be viewed as a serious threat nationally, but this season could be about proving the league wrong. If Josh Giddey levels up, Matas Buzelis takes another step, Caleb Wilson contributes early, and the defense improves with Nic Claxton anchoring the middle, Chicago may be more competitive than the bottom-three label suggests.

🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down whether the Bulls are truly one of the NBA’s worst teams, Josh Giddey’s Most Improved Player chances, and what it means if no more moves are coming before the season.

Everydayer Club

If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub

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

Cozy Earth

Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code LOCKEDON for an exclusive 20%.

Betterhelp

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA.

FanDuel

Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Join all the action at https://FANDUEL.COM to play Daily Dingers and make your free pick on who’s hitting a homer this MLB season.

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)

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.