The Chicago Bulls got their “SLAP” guys last night. Now comes the hard part.

The Chicago Bulls walked out of last night’s NBA Draft with something they haven’t had in years: a clear philosophical throughline. By selecting North Carolina’s Caleb Wilson at No. 4 and Texas’ Dailyn Swain at No. 15, the Bulls doubled down on Bryson Graham’s emerging “SLAP” identity.

Both prospects fit the blueprint. Both represent the kind of modern, switchable, high-ceiling players the Bulls have lacked. And both, in their own ways, signal a franchise finally leaning into a long‑overdue rebuild.

But they also share another trait: neither is anywhere close to a finished product.

The scouting report on Caleb Wilson

At 6-foot-9, 216 pounds, Wilson possesses an incredible blend of size, motor, and explosiveness. Wilson is the kind of long, athletic forward every NBA front office covets. He runs the floor well and often finishes a fast-break opportunity with highlight reel dunks. Also, he can defend with a natural ease that suggests he’ll eventually defend multiple positions.

Wilson’s three-point shooting and ball-handling still need major improvement. Still, his tools are real and have the highest ceiling amongst this year’s draft prospects. But patience is required for him to fulfill his immense potential.

The scouting report on Dailyn Swain

Rather than taking a guard in this year’s loaded guard class, Bryson Graham Swain stunned many by taking Dailyn Swain with the 15th pick. After spending his first two seasons at Xavier, Swain transferred to Texas and blossomed this past season, averaging 17.3 points per game and 54.2 percent from the field. Swain turns 21 in July, which is older than most prospects, but he is battle-tested and brings maturity.

His 6-foot-10 wingspan and size allow him to effectively guard multiple positions. His feel in transition and connective passing flashes real promise. But many experts point to his jump shot as his major weakness. How much he can improve upon this could determine his NBA future.

This is the gamble Graham is making: draft the athletes, draft the length, draft the versatility — then teach the shooting later. It’s bold. and modern, which is not something the Bulls were known for a long time. But it’s also a philosophy that demands patience, structure, and a coaching staff capable of molding raw material into NBA players.

Which leads to the biggest variable of all.

Tiago Splitter is still unproven as a head coach

Tiago Splitter deserves credit for stabilizing the Portland Trail Blazers after Chauncey Billups was arrested in his role in the multi-million-dollar, mob-backed illegal gambling operation.

Splitter was thrust into an interim head‑coaching role. He is credited with the development of Deni Avdija, who became an All-Star under his leadership, and resurrecting point guard Scoot Henderson’s career.

Ironically, he also helped the Bulls acquire the Trail Blazers’ draft pick when they defeated the Phoenix Suns 114-110 in the Western Conference Play-In tournament.

But he’s also inexperienced, and now he’s tasked with developing two first-rounders. Splitter has never built an identity from scratch. He’s never overseen a full‑scale youth movement. And he’s never been responsible for turning raw prospects into rotation‑level contributors. The Bulls are asking him to grow at the same time their roster is growing. That’s a recipe for turbulence.

But for the first time in a long time, the Bulls have direction. And there are no shortcuts.

They drafted players who align with their organizational philosophy. But they also drafted prospects that require time, stability, and a willingness to endure the messy middle.

There will be growing pains. For Graham, Wilson, Swain, and Splitter. And for long-suffering fans as well.

After decades of toiling in mediocrity, the Bulls finally embraced the truth: you can’t skip the hard part. And last night’s draft was the first step toward actually doing it.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/the-chicago-bulls-got-their-slap-guys-last-night-now-comes-the-hard-part/