The Chicago Bulls’ roster has undergone a dramatic reconstruction in recent seasons: out are Alex Caruso, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball; in are Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Kevin Huerter, Tre Jones, Zach Collins, Isaac Okoro, and Noa Essengue.
The lone remaining starters from years past are Coby White, Patrick Williams, and Nikola Vucevic. Of the three, only White appears to be a part of the Bulls’ long-term future, while Williams is around by default after signing a five-year, $90 million contract last offseason. Vucevic, on the other hand, is Chicago’s oldest player, turning 35 years old in October. Coincidentally, next season is the final year of his contract.
More roster turnover looms in Chicago. Vucevic enters the final year of his deal, as do Collins, Huerter, White, Jevon Carter, Ayo Dosunmu, and Dalen Terry. While the Bulls will angle for a marquee free agent in 2026, they also need to prioritize internal growth. Back-to-back first-rounders Buzelis and Essengue naturally sit at the top of that list, but another rangy wing deserves more attention than he’s gotten.
The Bulls must continue to prioritize Julian Phillips
That rising wing is Julian Phillips, now entering his third NBA season after being drafted 35th overall in 2023. Through his first two years, he’s posted 3.8 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.4 assists per game while shooting 44.0 percent from the field and 32.5 percent from three.
Phillips’ stats hardly leap off the page, but that’s a part of the developmental process. Despite earning All-American honors in high school, he was a low-usage piece on a veteran Tennessee roster. Even while logging 24.1 minutes per game in his lone season at Knoxville, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged only 8.3 points on 6.0 field goal attempts. Hence, Phillips’ impact in the NBA has been anything but immediate.
Still, it’s far too early to write off the 21-year-old. His counting stats may underwhelm, but the Bulls were 5.2 points per 100 possessions better with him on the floor. For the second straight year, he ranked in the 81st percentile or higher in offensive efficiency differential, and this past season, Chicago’s defense was better with Phillips on the court as well.
As a low-usage, off-ball wing, Phillips’ ceiling is naturally limited. Still, at 6-foot-8 and athletic, he’s remarkably versatile. While too slight to defend the league’s bigger forwards full-time, he can competently defend three positions when needed.
This past season, two of Phillips’ most common matchups were All-Stars Kevin Durant and Jaylen Brown. He didn’t exactly stifle them, allowing both to shoot over 60 percent, but it’s impressive for a 21-year-old, former second-round pick to hold his own against two of the league’s top wings. Chicago has already shown confidence in Phillips, a vote of trust that matters, especially for a team still flush with mediocre defenders.
Billy Donovan will need to find a way to get Phillips meaningful minutes, which is no easy task given how the Bulls have stocked up on forwards. The former Volunteer sits deep on the depth chart, arguably the fifth forward behind Buzelis, Huerter, Okoro, and Williams, with Essengue also waiting in the wings.
As noted earlier, the Bulls will soon be without several key players, including Huerter, who hits free agency after this season. With a team option of just $2.4 million for 2026-27, Phillips is all but guaranteed to remain in Chicago.
