At the 7:14 mark of the first quarter in the Chicago Bulls’ preseason debut, Julian Phillips checked into the game with Ayo Dosunmu. All things considered, tapping Dosunmu’s shoulder came as no surprise. The guard has been a rotational constant ever since his rookie season, and many expected him to enter this year as Billy Donovan’s sixth man. The expectations for Julian Phillips, on the other hand, were undefined.
The second-year forward was drafted 35th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Chicago’s front office felt so strongly about the one-and-done forward out of Tennessee that they traded into the second round to acquire him. A jaw-dropping leaper with a long frame, Phillips’ combination of size and athleticism was undoubtedly a draw. But he was also remarkably raw. This is why Phillips ultimately appeared in only 40 games last season, averaging just 8.1 minutes a night.
Nevertheless, the Bulls are clearly attracted to what Phillips has to offer, and they are now in a position to extend his leash. The front office took an obvious step back this offseason with their sights set on player development. And Tuesday night’s meeting with Cleveland could’ve been our first signal that Phillips’ growth, in particular, is near the top of their to-do list. The 20-year-old finished the night with 9 points, 4 rebounds, and a block in 26 minutes of action.
The Bulls could surely use a player like Phillips. Limited at the wing with traditional size, Phillips’ six-foot-eight frame stands out. Not only should he possess the ability to switch to multiple positions, but he also has real upside as a secondary rim protector thanks to his explosive verticality. In many ways, Phillips has the potential to be an even larger Derrick Jones Jr., which is an archetype that could fit this new-look Bulls team like a glove. For an offense that is looking to move the ball quickly, Phillips can be a transition-lob threat and half-court slasher. For a backcourt that projects to be extremely penetrable, Phillips can be a secondary line of defense.
Of course, all of this is completely theoretical. While Phillips may be showing signs of being the player the Bulls want him to be in practice – which is perhaps why he earned the quick appearance off the bench – this needs to translate to live game action. This is especially true when we consider he isn’t the only other young player vying for minutes on this roster.
Indeed, the reason Phillips’ early call was so fascinating is because the Bulls have several players battling for what feels like only one open spot in the rotation. Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Josh Giddey, Patrick Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, Jalen Smith, and Matas Buzelis feel like locks to receive regular playing time. This is particularly true after Buzelis turned heads during his preseason debut. Typically, Donovan has preferred to run a nine-man rotation, so this leaves only one spot open.
Won’t the Bulls want to give Lonzo Ball a chance to reemerge? Could they favor veteran leadership with Torrey Craig or Jevon Carter? What about former first-round pick Dalen Terry, who showed signs of life defensively at the end of last season? Donovan may opt to go ten deep on some nights, particularly those that include Ball, but somebody is going to be an odd man out. Can Julian Phillips avoid being that somebody?