Caleb Wilson Hype Is Getting LOUD… But What If He Has A Normal Rookie Season?

The national media hype around Caleb Wilson is starting to rise — but what happens if the Chicago Bulls rookie simply has a normal rookie season? 👀🐂

On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer break down the growing buzz around Caleb Wilson and why Bulls fans may need to balance excitement with realistic expectations. Wilson has the size, skill, athleticism, defensive tools, and long-term upside to be a major piece of Chicago’s future, but rookie development is rarely a straight line.

The guys discuss what a successful rookie season should actually look like for Wilson. Does he need to compete for Rookie of the Year? Does he need to be a day-one star? Or would steady growth, defensive flashes, rebounding, cutting, transition finishing, and learning how to play within Tiago Splitter’s system be enough for year one?

Haize and Pat also dive into what Josh Giddey needs to add to his game during the 2026-27 season. Giddey is viewed as part of the Bulls’ core, but now he has to prove he can raise his ceiling. Can he become a more confident shooter? Can he improve defensively? Can he attack mismatches, finish stronger, and become more of a scoring threat instead of just a passer and rebounder?

Plus, the guys discuss whether Jaylin Sellers is being overlooked as a player who could make a real impact for the Bulls. Sellers may not have the biggest name on the roster, but his scoring instincts, confidence, toughness, and opportunity to earn trust could make him one of the more interesting players to watch entering training camp.

Topics Include:

National media hype rising for Caleb Wilson

What if Caleb Wilson has a normal rookie season?

Realistic rookie expectations for Wilson

Why Bulls fans should balance hype with patience

What Josh Giddey needs to add in 2026-27

Giddey’s shooting, scoring, defense, and leadership questions

Is Jaylin Sellers being overlooked?

Sellers’ path to real Bulls minutes

Tiago Splitter’s role in developing the young core

Bulls 2026-27 roster questions before training camp

The Bulls’ future is exciting, but development still takes time. Caleb Wilson does not have to become a star overnight, Josh Giddey still has clear areas to improve, and Jaylin Sellers may have a bigger opportunity than people realize.

🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down Matas Buzelis’ shot diet, what every Bulls bench player needs to do this season, and why Quincy Pondexter’s G League hire could matter for the future of the franchise.

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.

Odoo

Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon.

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.