Bulls Send Three Players to G League Affiliate for Practice Minutes

Three Chicago Bulls players will play for the G League affiliate this weekend to gain experience. Head coach Tiago Splitter announced on Wednesday that Dailyn Swain, Tobe Awaka, and Jaylin Sellers will join the Windy City Bulls. They will compete in two games against the Noblesville Boom on Friday and Saturday in Hoffman Estates.

The move provides immediate playing time for the group while the main Bulls roster takes a break. The NBA team does not play until Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers. This schedule gap allows the trio to focus on specific skills during November.

Splitter emphasized the need for repetition in this development phase. He stated that the team wants to focus on these three players this month. He said, "Go and get minutes, get shots up. Repetition is going to be important for them."

Swain, who was selected 15th overall in the June draft, has had limited action since the regular season started. He appeared in only one game where official statistics were recorded. That contest was against Boston, where he played 12 minutes of final-quarter duty. He scored two points and committed four turnovers in that appearance.

The player described the G League stint as a chance to improve specific areas of his game. He noted that being out of the NBA rotation allows him to work on fundamentals. "It’s an opportunity to get live reps," Swain said. "Obviously being out of the rotation up here, so I feel like it’s an opportunity to develop, work on the things, so that’s how I look at it."

Swain identified ball handling and defense as his primary focus areas. He mentioned working on getting his shot off faster and adjusting to team principles. He also highlighted the challenge of defending elite guards on the ball. He added that all aspects of the game are areas for improvement.

The plan includes bringing Swain back to the NBA team for practice sessions when the Windy City Bulls are not playing. This arrangement ensures he continues to train with his regular teammates. Swain believes this mixed approach helps a young player learn. He said, "If I see someone do something good it’s, ‘OK, take that and run with it.’ For me being young, I think it helps me."

Another player on the roster, Matas Buzelis, is also focusing on ball handling. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging a career-high three turnovers per game this season. He recorded five turnovers in a recent loss in Philadelphia. Buzelis said he is studying game film to find better ways to attack without forcing straight-line drives.

Nic Claxton, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, continued to increase his activity level. He was not ready to make his season debut in New York on Wednesday. There is growing momentum that he will play in his first game during the team's upcoming three-game homestand.