Giddey starred for the Bulls in a high-pace preseason showcase, posting 25 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists in 29 minutes as Chicago locked him in for four years at $100 million. He opened with 19 points by halftime, mixed 3s with drives and earned a place on the highlight reel with a fastbreak connection to Matas Buzelis and a non-counted 60-foot heave that amplified his confidence. A heated exchange with Cam Johnson added edge to a night that still left the Bulls optimistic about a Giddey-led future alongside White.

Denver’s preseason twist features Jokic at power forward paired with Jonas Valanciunas in a two‑big look. The early sample was rocky—five possessions, four points, 80 offensive rating—but Adelman stresses it’s a Band‑Aid moment to test spacing and timing. The experiment leans on high‑low action, with Watson, Braun and Strawther providing length and drive to mix with the bigs.

Defensively, Adelman explores a zone with both centers at the bottom, aiming to angle rotations and protect against interior mismatches. The plan mirrors Houston’s Sengun–Adams template but remains a work in progress as Denver dials in how to space and execute with this unconventional frontline.

Ayo Dosunmu returns from shoulder surgery to a Bulls squad chasing defensive identity and more reliable offense. After months away, he flashed ball-handling and perimeter pressure in camp, while teammates adapt to a new defensive scheme that aims to curb a past reliance on individual stops.

With Dosunmu in a contract year and young players like Matas Buzelis stepping forward, Chicago needs his two-way impact every night. If he trims reckless decisions and reclaims his efficient shooting touch, Dosunmu could anchor a guard rotation and push the Bulls toward a steadier, if still unsettled, climb.

LaMelo Ball staying healthy could unlock Charlotte’s ceiling in a crowded East. Early signals show a healthier Ball thriving with Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel on the wings, hinting at offensive efficiency when Ball is supported by budding playmakers. The defense, still a concern with key defenders out to open the season, could determine whether the Hornets flirt with a play-in bid or drift into rebuild territory.

The Hornets’ offseason brought depth and shooting, including Collin Sexton and Spencer Dinwiddie, while drafting Knueppel and Kalkbrenner to anchor a more versatile frontline. The coming weeks will reveal whether Charlotte buys at the deadline or leans into its young core, with Ball’s health and defense shaping the gap between optimism and frustration.