Bulls Prepare for Potential NBA Expansion Draft

CHGO Bulls podcast crew discusses which players to protect

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The CHGO Bulls podcast crew discusses which players on the Chicago Bulls roster should be protected if the NBA holds an expansion draft in the coming years. With teams allowed to protect up to 8 players, the crew debates the best strategy for the Bulls, including whether to leave young players like Patrick Williams exposed.

Why it matters

An NBA expansion draft would force the Bulls to carefully evaluate their roster and make tough decisions about which players to protect. This could have major implications for the team's future, as they would need to balance protecting their core talent while also potentially exposing younger, promising players to the new franchise.

The details

The CHGO Bulls podcast crew broke down the hypothetical expansion draft scenario, discussing which players the Bulls should prioritize protecting. Beyond obvious choices like Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue, the crew debated whether to protect a player like Patrick Williams or leave him exposed to the new franchise. The discussion also touched on the new NBA All-Star Game format and whether it was a success.

  • The CHGO Bulls podcast was recorded on February 17, 2026.
  • An NBA expansion draft could potentially take place in the coming years, though no definite timeline has been announced.

The players

Matas Buzelis

A young player on the Chicago Bulls roster who the crew believes should be protected in an expansion draft.

Noa Essengue

Another young player on the Chicago Bulls roster who the crew believes should be protected in an expansion draft.

Patrick Williams

A young player on the Chicago Bulls roster who the crew debated whether to protect or leave exposed in an expansion draft.

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What they’re saying

“Beyond Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue, which young players should the Bulls prioritize protecting in an expansion draft situation?”

— CHGO Bulls Crew (CHGO)

“Is Patrick Williams the only answer for which player they should leave exposed?”

— CHGO Bulls Crew (CHGO)

What’s next

The CHGO Bulls crew indicated that the details of any potential NBA expansion draft, including the timeline, have not been finalized. They will continue to monitor the situation and provide further analysis as more information becomes available.

The takeaway

The CHGO Bulls podcast provided valuable insight into the difficult decisions the Chicago Bulls organization may face in protecting their roster in a hypothetical NBA expansion draft. This highlights the importance of roster management and long-term planning for NBA teams, as they must balance developing young talent while also retaining their core players.