Caleb Wilson Becomes Centerpiece of Bulls’ Roster Transformation Since February Trade Deadline
Caleb Wilson Becomes Centerpiece of Bulls’ Roster Transformation Since February Trade Deadline
Ryan Phillips|
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Chicago BullsNorth Carolina Tar HeelsCaleb Wilson is the next piece in the Bulls’ changing future.
Chicago is undergoing a massive transformation, and that continued Tuesday night during the 2026 NBA draft, as the franchise selected Wilson with the No. 4 pick.
During his lone season at North Carolina, Wilson was one of the best players in the nation, as he averaged 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 31.4 minutes over 24 contests. His freshman season was interrupted by a fractured left hand, then it was ended by surgery to repair a broken thumb.
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A versatile 6'9" forward, Wilson will need to improve as a three-point shooter, as he only hit 25.9% as a freshman. That said, he made 57.8% of his shots from the field. The 19-year-old has a big personality and should immediately become the face of the franchise.
SEE RED! 🔴🐂 pic.twitter.com/fDBz97mRsJ
— Caleb Wilson (@CalebWilson2025) June 24, 2026
The Bulls are remaking their franchise on the fly, and that process began at the trade deadline. New executive vice president Bryson Graham is looking for what he calls SLAP, which stands for size, length, athleticism and physicality. Wilson embodies all of those traits. Billy Donovan is gone, Tiago Splitter is in as the new coach, and the roster is getting a similar extreme makeover.
Nic Claxton is set to arrive via a three-way trade with the Nets and Timberwolves. The 27-year-old averaged 11.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 57.1% from the field last season. He had career highs in touches and assists and the Nets utilized him more than ever before. His career-high of 3.7 assists is promising for Chicago, as he has added to his versatility, while still averaging 1.1 blocks per game.
The point guard spot is set with Josh Giddey coming off a career year. Still only 23 years old, Giddey averaged 17.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 9.1 assists in 32.1 minutes per game during the 2025-26 campaign. He hit 36.4% from three-point range and took another step forward as future All-Star.
Another Bull who took a massive step last season was 2024 first-round pick Matas Buzelis. The 21-year-old averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks in 29.2 minutes per game. All of those numbers were career-highs.
The team also boasts Isaac Okoro, and excellent perimeter defender. While the 25-year-old needs to improve offensively, he’s excellent on the defensive end and can be a perimeter stopper.
Later in the first round on Tuesday, the Bulls selected Texas forward Dailyn Swain with the 15th pick. Swain is a 6'8" wing who primarily scores off the bounce and has good size and instincts for his spot in the NBA. He averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game as a junior last season. If he can improve his 34.4% three-point shooting he could be a great compliment to the team’s current roster.
Wilson and Swain are being added to that core, and it’s clear Chicago isn’t done building yet. They have an entire offseason to either offload players who no longer fit the franchise’s future or add via the $32.5 million cap space the team possesses.
After years of drifting though seasons with a middling roster, it finally feels like the Bulls have a plan and a new identity based around a young, athletic, versatile roster. Caleb Wilson is now the centerpiece of that effort.
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Published 1 hour ago | Modified 1 hour ago
RYAN PHILLIPSRyan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
