Caleb Wilson arrived in Las Vegas with the kind of athleticism that made Bulls fans sit up. The No. 4 overall pick dazzled with high-flying dunks, rim-protecting blocks and a three-point shot that seemed to surprise everyone except himself. Wilson’s brief flash of ceiling talent gave Chicago a glimpse of the upside the franchise hopes to unlock in its new core.
In stark contrast, No. 15 overall pick Dailyn Swain struggled to find the bottom of the net. He shot just 12.9 % from the floor, missed his lone three-point attempt and went 4-of-24 on two-point shots. Over four games Swain averaged 4.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists while posting nine assists to seven turnovers. "He missed all seven of his 3-point attempts and went an unfathomable 4-of-24 on 2s...Yiiiiiikes. That's bad. Phenomenally bad, actually," noted John Hollinger.
Swain entered the league as the primary ball-handler, a role that exposed his shooting deficiencies and forced him into low-percentage looks. The assist-to-turnover ratio of nine to seven suggests he can make decent decisions with the ball, but the inability to convert even basic two-point opportunities raises doubts about his offensive upside. Moving him off the ball could allow Swain to benefit from the passing prowess of Josh Giddey and Tre Jones, who are expected to lead Chicago’s first and second units.
No. 12 overall pick Noa Essengue also failed to make a compelling case in his second Summer League stint. The 19-year-old Frenchman posted 6.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and 1.2 steals while shooting 43.8 % overall and 1-of-6 from three. His limited exposure follows a rookie season cut short after just six NBA minutes due to a season-ending shoulder surgery. Rumors of a growth spurt from 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-11 have not yet translated into dominant interior play.
Both young players now sit at a crossroads as the Bulls embark on a philosophical shift under new management. With Giddey and Jones slated to run the backcourt, Swain is likely to see fewer ball-handling duties and more off-ball movement, while Essengue’s recovery timeline will dictate whether he can contribute by the start of training camp. Their development will be a key factor in Chicago’s roster flexibility and could influence trade talks or future draft positioning.
If Wilson’s early fireworks can be sustained and the Bulls successfully shepherd Swain and Essengue through their growing-pain phases, the Summer League disappointments may prove to be a temporary blip in a broader rebuilding narrative.
