With Coby White sidelined by a calf strain, the Chicago Bulls’ starting lineup looked markedly different in their preseason opener against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Billy Donovan started Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Nikola Vucevic, alongside Isaac Okoro and Kevin Huerter—two players vying for the final starting spot.
Huerter started several games after being traded to Chicago last season and proved to be a valuable addition. He averaged 15.3 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.0 three-pointers per game while posting an impressive plus-8.8 plus/minus. Yet Okoro, acquired in an offseason trade, addresses Chicago’s need for a point-of-attack perimeter defender.