Tiago Splitter Wants Matas & Caleb To DICTATE Offense | Norman Powell Trade Package Emerges

Tiago Splitter wants Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson doing more than simply finishing plays. He wants them helping dictate the Chicago Bulls offense.

That means this preseason becomes about more than points.

Splitter specifically challenged Chicago’s young forwards to become more aggressive in controlling possessions instead of waiting for opportunities to arrive. That means creating advantages, forcing defensive reactions and making the right decision once help comes.  Pasted text

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down how that should look for both players.

🔥 Can Matas attack before the defense gets set?

🧠 Can Caleb make decisions after screening and short-roll catches?

🎯 Can Josh Giddey create the right opportunities without controlling every possession?

👀 Will Norman Powell keep empowering the young forwards when mistakes happen?

Then we get into Chicago’s other major preseason challenge:

Winning the possession battle.

Playing fast means nothing if turnovers become opponent layups, aggressive rebounding destroys transition defense or gambling for steals repeatedly leaves teammates scrambling. Splitter has emphasized rebounding, creating steals and protecting the basketball as parts of Chicago’s preferred style.  Pasted text

And finally, it’s FACTS OR CAP on a fascinating Warriors trade proposal.

The hypothetical framework would send Norman Powell and Jalen Smith to Golden State while Chicago receives Kristaps Porziņģis, Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski and a top-four-protected 2028 first-round pick. This is a writer-generated proposal, not a reported offer or active negotiation.  Pasted text

Would the young players and draft asset justify removing Powell’s scoring and Jalen Smith’s spacing from a roster built around Matas and Caleb?

🔥 Today on Chicago Bulls Central:

- Matas + Caleb being challenged to dictate offense

- What real creation responsibility should look like

- How Giddey should empower the young forwards

- Why productive mistakes matter

- The Bulls’ offensive rebounding vs. transition-defense balance

- Aggressive defense vs. reckless gambling

- How Chicago should attack when transition disappears

- Norman Powell Warriors trade debate

- Moody and Podziemski’s potential fit

- Jalen Smith’s overlooked value

- Why first-round pick protections matter

- FACTS OR CAP on making the deal

💬 Would you trade Norman Powell and Jalen Smith for Porziņģis, Moody, Podziemski and the protected first?

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