The Chicago Bulls’ 2026 trade deadline selections have drawn heavy criticism, and rightfully so. But Rob Dillingham was the centerpiece acquisition, and over the group’s last 5 games, he is proving why he may assist flip that narrative.
Dillingham is one in all only some gamers (and perhaps a second-round pick or two?) that the Bulls’ entrance workplace delivered to the Windy City who may have an precise influence on the franchise’s future. His gradual begin was regarding, little doubt — however the 21-year-old has put collectively a handful of games that show Bulls followers had been proper to be enthusiastic about his potential.
Rob Dillingham is breaking out for the Bulls
Dillingham has all the time been an intriguing prospect. He was the eighth general decide in the 2024 NBA Draft — three spots forward of Matas Buzelis (who Chicago followers ought to know fairly nicely). His talent set as a fast, explosive three-level scorer is what made the Minnesota Timberwolves pay a high price to safe his providers.
But whether or not it was Dillingham’s fault or the Timberwolves’, or perhaps each, issues did not work out in Minny. Bulls Executive VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas introduced him on board as the key return in the trade that despatched Ayo Dosunmu to Minnesota.
After a gradual begin, the former Kentucky Wildcats standout has turned issues round.
In his first 13 games with the Bulls, Dillingham performed simply 19.0 minutes per contest and averaged 6.4 factors, 3.0 rebounds and three.1 assists. He shot a dreadful 34.7 p.c from the subject and a good worse 20.7 p.c from 3-point vary.
In his last 5 games, these numbers have jumped to 25.2 minutes an evening, with averages of 14.2 factors, 2.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.2 steals. He’s capturing 50.8 p.c from the subject and 40.0 p.c from three.
It’s definitely not all good. Dillingham has tried a complete of two free throws over this stretch, regarding for a participant so expert at attending to the rim. But he is solely averaging 1.6 turnovers in comparison with these 4.0 assists, one thing head coach Billy Donovan has emphasised since his new level guard arrived.
Bulls want Dillingham to change into an asset
Karnisovas guess on Dillingham and gambled on Jaden Ivey as his two greatest acquisitions at the deadline. A smattering of these second-round picks may change into helpful in some unspecified time in the future, however who is aware of?
Ivey has been a bust to this point. He’s solely performed in 4 games due to lingering knee soreness. He was having a breakout season with the Detroit Pistons last 12 months earlier than breaking his left fibula in January of 2025, and he hasn’t been the identical participant since.
Aside from 22-year-old wing Leonard Miller, none of Chicago’s new gamers will be around when the group is able to compete in the playoffs once more.
So much rides on Dillingham, and issues did not look nice throughout his first month with the group. But his play over the last 5 games ought to make the Bulls hopeful he can be the form of high-potential piece they want.
