Locked On Bulls - Daily Podcast On The Chicago Bulls podcast

Bulls Predicted To Win Just 29.5 Games?! Nic Claxton’s Impact Has To Be HUGE 👀

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The Chicago Bulls are being projected for just 29.5 wins next season, but is that number fair — or are people overlooking the impact of this rebuilt roster? 👀🐂

 

On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer break down the 2026-27 season expectations for Nic Claxton and why his role could be one of the biggest swing factors for Chicago. Claxton gives the Bulls a true defensive anchor, rim protection, switchability, rebounding, vertical spacing, and a different level of athleticism at center than they have had in recent years.

 

But how much can one player change?

 

The guys discuss what Claxton needs to bring next season for the Bulls to become a more serious defensive team, how he fits next to Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson, Norman Powell, and the rest of the new-look roster, and whether his presence alone can help Chicago beat its low win projection.

 

Haize and Pat also react to the Bulls being predicted to win 29.5 games next season. Is that a realistic number for a team still trying to build chemistry under Tiago Splitter, or is it too low considering the additions Chicago made this offseason?

 

Plus, the guys ask whether Bulls fans should be surprised that Bryson Graham did not make a bigger upside trade during his first offseason running the team. Chicago added talent, improved the roster, and stayed flexible — but did the Bulls miss a chance to swing bigger on a young player with star upside?

 

Topics Include:

Nic Claxton’s 2026-27 Bulls expectations

How Claxton changes Chicago’s defense

Bulls projected to win 29.5 games next season

Is the win total too low or fair?

How Claxton fits with Josh Giddey and Caleb Wilson

What Tiago Splitter needs from Claxton in year one

Why the Bulls avoided a big swing trade

Did Bryson Graham play it smart or too safe?

Bulls offseason review and season outlook

 

The Bulls may not be viewed as a serious threat nationally, but the path to beating expectations starts with defense, identity, and internal growth. If Nic Claxton gives Chicago the rim protection and defensive stability they have been missing, the Bulls could be better than the 29.5-win projection suggests.

 

🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down Nic Claxton’s season expectations, the Bulls’ 29.5-win projection, and whether Chicago should have made a bigger upside trade this offseason.

 

🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down Matas Buzelis’ comments on Billy Donovan, his work with Dirk Nowitzki, and Norman Powell’s expectations for the 2026-27 season.

 

 

Follow Locked On Bulls on Twitter

Locked On Bulls: https://twitter.com/LockedOnBulls

Haize: https://twitter.com/CEOHaize

Pat: https://twitter.com/PatTheDesigner

 

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