CHICAGO — The Bulls have reportedly welcomed No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson to the NBA by assuring the 19-year-old there is absolutely no pressure on him beyond helping make the Chicago Bulls good again.
Wilson enters his rookie season as the centerpiece of a new-look Bulls team featuring young players Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey and Rob Dillingham, along with veteran additions Norman Powell and Nic Claxton.
Team officials stressed that Wilson will be given plenty of time to develop.
Ideally until approximately opening night.
“We don't expect Caleb to solve everything,” one team source said. “Some things Matas can solve.”
Wilson reportedly received the usual rookie orientation materials covering travel, nutrition, defensive terminology and the historical significance of being selected by a franchise whose fans will eventually compare every promising young player to someone from 1996.
Chicago's rebuild has entered an exciting new stage in which everyone is young enough to theoretically become much better, allowing fans to spend several months constructing versions of the future in which every prospect reaches his absolute ceiling simultaneously.
Wilson has already generated excitement following Summer League and will now face the considerably more difficult task of playing against NBA starters who are also trying.
The Bulls insist their rookie will be allowed to make mistakes.
They would simply prefer those mistakes occur while averaging 22 points, defending four positions and restoring long-term optimism to the organization.
Again, no pressure.
