Chicago Bulls Depth Chart 2025–2026: Each Player’s Position, Starting Lineup, and Rotation

Confused by who actually gets minutes for the Chicago Bulls? Rotations shift nightly and beat writers rarely paint the full picture. You can’t analyze matchups without knowing the real pecking order. This Chicago Bulls depth chart solves it. We list every projected starter, reserve, and two-way player with a blunt look at role security and upcoming battles for playing time.

Full 15-Man Chicago Bulls Depth Chart (2026-27 Projection)

Below is the projected Chicago Bulls depth chart as the 2026-27 season nears. Roles reflect the roster after the 2026 NBA Draft and early free agency. Starter locks are marked.

Sources: Bulls official roster (NBA.com), team depth chart via ESPN, contract details via Spotrac, and training camp reports from NBC Sports Chicago.

The Core That Defines the Chicago Bulls Depth Chart

The Chicago Bulls depth chart hinges on three players. Nikola Vučević anchors the middle. Coby White controls perimeter scoring. Josh Giddey runs the offense as a jumbo playmaker. Billy Donovan built this rotation around positionless basketball. That forces every other name on the Chicago Bulls depth chart to earn minutes through defense and off‑ball movement.

A quick glance at the starting five reveals a mix of size and ball handling. White spaces the floor. Giddey attacks the paint. Vučević keeps the high post functional. The bench gets filled with defensive disruptors like Ayo Dosunmu and rim‑running bigs. What you see in October rarely matches what you get in March. Still, the skeleton of the Chicago Bulls depth chart gives fans a clear lens on win‑total expectations.

Point Guard Rotation: Giddey, Dosunmu, and the 2026 Rookie

Josh Giddey grabbed the starting point guard role after the 2025 trade that sent Alex Caruso to Oklahoma City. He touches the ball on nearly every possession. His 6-foot‑8 frame lets him see over defenses, and his 6.2 assists per 36 minutes under Donovan prove the system fits him. The Chicago Bulls depth chart at point guard lives and dies with his health.

Ayo Dosunmu backs up both guard spots. He adds point‑of‑attack pressure that Giddey sometimes lacks. Donovan often closes games with Dosunmu and White sharing the backcourt, sliding Giddey to the wing. A rookie first‑round pick from the 2026 draft sits third. The front office targeted a guard who can push pace in short stints. That rookie won’t crack 12 minutes a night unless an injury reshapes the entire Chicago Bulls depth chart.

Shooting Guard: Coby White’s Lead Scoring Mission

Coby White earned the starting shooting guard label the hard way. He averaged 19.1 points and 5.1 assists in the 2024-25 season, then held off Kevin Huerter in camp the next fall. This Chicago Bulls depth chart needs White’s pull‑up gravity. He fires from 30 feet without hesitation. That spacing lets Giddey operate in the middle.

Kevin Huerter arrives as the instant‑offense reserve. His movement shooting punishes defenders who cheat off him. Dalen Terry lingers as the third option and defensive specialist. Terry’s 7-foot wingspan buys him minutes when opponents roll out big backcourts. If White’s shot goes cold for a stretch, Huerter can eat 28 minutes without wrecking the rotation. The Chicago Bulls depth chart holds rare stability at the two because of that redundancy.

Small Forward Battle: Matas Buzelis Grabs the Job

Matas Buzelis enters his third season as the projected starter at the three. The 2024 lottery pick grew into his frame over the summer. Standing 6-foot-10 with guard skills, he threatens defenses from the weak side. Donovan lets him initiate secondary actions when Giddey gets trapped. The Chicago Bulls depth chart at small forward demands versatility, and Buzelis supplies it.

Julian Phillips backs him up. Phillips runs the floor harder than anyone on the roster. He crashes the offensive glass and defends multiple positions. Donovan often uses Phillips as the small‑ball four when Patrick Williams sits. That tweak condenses the Chicago Bulls depth chart and opens minutes for an extra shooter. Don’t expect a veteran to steal this spot unless a major trade materializes before the deadline.

Power Forward: Patrick Williams and the Defensive Anchor

Patrick Williams holds the starting power forward job because of his defensive switchability. At 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan, he mutes the opponent’s best forward. His three‑point shot lingers around 38 percent on catch‑and‑shoot chances. The Chicago Bulls depth chart counts on Williams to stretch the floor and guard up a position.

Jalen Smith slides into the backup four minutes whenever Vučević stays on the court. Smith’s mobility makes him a natural fit next to the center. Donovan also flips Smith to the five in smaller lineups, pushing Williams to the three. A second‑round forward from the 2026 draft class rounds out the depth. That rookie will likely spend most of the season with the Windy City Bulls. The Chicago Bulls depth chart at power forward stays top‑heavy but functional.

Center Rotation: Vučević and the Two‑Man Plugs

Nikola Vučević logs the starting center minutes. His high‑post playmaking still unlocks dribble handoffs and pick‑and‑pop looks. Defensively he sits in drop coverage, which asks a lot from the guards. The Chicago Bulls depth chart behind him shifts depending on matchups. Jalen Smith gets the primary backup call because he protects the rim and spaces to the corner.

Adama Sanogo occupies the third center slot on a two‑way contract. His physicality in the paint gives Donovan a situational option against bulky fives. When Vučević misses time, Smith starts and Sanogo absorbs the leftover minutes. You won’t see three‑center lineups, but the Chicago Bulls depth chart ensures at least one rim runner stays on the floor at all times.

Key Bench Pieces That Swing the Chicago Bulls Depth Chart

• Kevin Huerter – Movement shooter who bends defenses. He runs drag screens and relocations better than any Bull not named Coby White.
• Ayo Dosunmu – Two‑way guard who pressures the ball and attacks closeouts. He makes the entire Chicago Bulls depth chart faster.
• Jalen Smith – Stretch big with a 37 percent corner three‑point clip. He fits next to every starter.
• Julian Phillips – High‑motor forward who creates extra possessions. His cutting gives Giddey a dump‑off target.

These four players determine whether the second unit wins or loses its minutes. Donovan staggers two starters with them to keep the floor balanced. When the Chicago Bulls depth chart stays healthy, the bench ranks in the top half of the Eastern Conference in net rating. One injury forces a domino effect that forces two‑way players into real games.

Two‑Way Contracts and the Windy City Bulls Pipeline

NBA rules allow three two‑way slots. The Chicago Bulls depth chart currently fills two of them. Adama Sanogo handles the center role. Marcus Garrett, a guard with a defensive mindset, fills the perimeter position. Both players split time between the NBA club and the G League affiliate in Hoffman Estates.

Sanogo appeared in 14 games last season and posted a ridiculous 17.2 rebounding percentage per 36 minutes. Garrett earned a call‑up after averaging 2.1 steals in the G League. The third two‑way slot remains open heading into training camp. Front‑office sources told NBC Sports Chicago that the team targets a wing shooter. Every open roster spot matters because the Chicago Bulls depth chart thins out fast after the top 11.

Injury Impact: How the Chicago Bulls Depth Chart Handles Lost Games

When a starter goes down, the Chicago Bulls depth chart shifts in predictable patterns. Donovan preaches positionless basketball, so straight swaps rarely happen.

• Giddey injury – Dosunmu starts, White handles primary playmaking, and Huerter jumps into the closing lineup.
• White injury – Huerter enters the starting five. Dosunmu and Terry soak up guard minutes.
• Vučević injury – Smith starts at center. Sanogo gets elevated to the active roster.
• Williams injury – Buzelis slides to the four. Phillips starts at the three.

The front office keeps an emergency big on speed dial. Artūras Karnišovas doesn’t hesitate to sign a 10‑day contract when multiple bigs hit the injury report. Every deep‑bench name on the Chicago Bulls depth chart lives on thin ice.

Offensive and Defensive Fit of Billy Donovan’s System

Donovan wants pace, space, and ball movement. The Chicago Bulls depth chart reflects that philosophy. Giddey pushes the ball in transition. White and Huerter fill the lanes. Vučević trails as a trailer, then pops to the elbow. This five‑out structure forces defenses to guard 94 feet.

Defensively the Bulls switch one through four and drop the big. Williams and Buzelis handle most switches. Dosunmu takes the opponent’s best guard. The system leaks when the point‑of‑attack breaks down, but the length across the Chicago Bulls depth chart keeps recovery options alive. Donovan’s seat gets warm if the defense slips outside the top 20. The rotation has enough versatility to hover around league average.

Biggest Training Camp Battles That Reshape the Depth Chart

Training camp 2026 promises three fights that directly touch the Chicago Bulls depth chart.

1. Backup point guard – Dosunmu holds the job, but the rookie first‑rounder could force a timeshare.
2. Third‑string wing – Dalen Terry, Julian Phillips, and any camp invite scrap for the final active spot.
3. Several undrafted forwards battle in the final two-way slot. Shooting wins this battle every time.

Donovan values trust over talent. Veterans get longer leashes. The Chicago Bulls depth chart rarely flips in October. Still, a strong camp performance from a young player pushes the coaching staff to rethink minute distribution before the season opener at the United Center.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the current Chicago Bulls depth chart?
The projected Chicago Bulls depth chart starts Josh Giddey, Coby White, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, and Nikola Vučević. Key reserves include Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, and Jalen Smith.

Who does the Bulls start as point guard?
Josh Giddey starts at point guard. He runs the offense with Ayo Dosunmu spelling him off the bench.

Is Coby White a starter or sixth man?
Coby White is a locked‑in starter at shooting guard. He led the team in scoring in 2024-25 and maintained the role entering 2025-26.

Who backs up Nikola Vučević at center?
Jalen Smith serves as the primary backup center. Adama Sanogo, on a two‑way contract, provides third‑string insurance.

Which young players could crack the rotation?
Matas Buzelis already starts. Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry push for consistent minutes. The 2026 first‑round rookie guard might work into the backup point guard mix.

How does Billy Donovan manage the Bulls rotation?
Donovan staggers at least two starters with bench units. He prioritizes pace, ball movement, and switchable defense. He keeps a tight nine‑man rotation when the Chicago Bulls depth chart is fully healthy.

The Chicago Bulls Depth Chart Will Shift All Season

This Chicago Bulls depth chart won’t stay frozen. Trades, buyout additions, and injuries reshape every NBA roster. The front office under Karnišovas keeps an itchy trigger finger. If the team floats around .500 at the deadline, expect movement. The current starting five gives fans a clear reason to watch, but the depth carries real questions.

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