A rising guard outlines a summer of growth aimed at expanding his toolset: more time in the paint, sharper off-ball cuts, and stronger finishes. He’s chasing a defined role in a guard-heavy system, pairing aggressive approach with smarter shot selection to maximize efficiency.

Mike Brown’s accountability-driven, detail-focused framework threads through practice, film work, and drills. For fantasy managers, early signals of improved minutes and usage could emerge as the offense benefits from pace and space, with a clearer path to more consistent production.

Calf concerns for Kobe White keep him out of Chicago’s early preseason, reshaping the Bulls’ rotation as they chase optimal rhythm before opening night. Patrick Williams has been the brightest spark, delivering energy, rebounding, and scoring that hint at a larger role. Josh Giddy delivered the most complete preseason performance yet, showcasing his scoring, vision, and off-ball movement that could unlock faster flows once Kobe returns. Guard depth, rotation balance, and how two-guard looks mesh with Kobe’s timeline remain the key questions.

Mock lineups with multiple guards are being tested as Billy Donovan weighs minutes for IO DeSumo, Trey Jones, and others behind Kobe. Denver’s upcoming clash and the Bucks’ intensity loom large for readiness. The overarching narrative: can Williams sustain momentum, can Giddy grow as a facilitator, and which wing steps into bigger responsibility as the rotation tightens?