Bulls send rookie Swain to G League

Dailyn Swain will leave Chicago for Hoffman Estates to play in the G League.

Coach Tiago Splitter announced the move on Wednesday. The Bulls plan to send Swain, Tobe Awaka, and Jaylin Sellers to their affiliate team, the Windy City Bulls, for games on Friday and Saturday. The Windy City Bulls will face the Noblesville Boom in both contests. The NBA squad rests during this stretch, returning to action on Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Splitter identified the three players as the primary focus for the month. He told reporters the goal is to secure playing time and shot attempts. He noted that repetition is important for their development. Swain, selected with the 15th overall pick in the June draft, expressed excitement about the assignment. He described it as a chance to gain live repetitions while out of the rotation in New York and Chicago.

Swain listed specific areas of focus for his upcoming games. He pointed to on-ball handling and getting his shot off quicker. He also mentioned adjusting to the team's defensive principles, particularly when guarding elite guards. The rookie played solid minutes in the preseason while working on primary ball handling duties. Since the regular season began, he has appeared in only one game. That contest against Boston lasted 12 minutes, during which Swain scored two points and committed four turnovers.

The front office intends to bring Swain back to the main roster when the Windy City Bulls are not playing. This schedule allows him to practice with the varsity squad. Swain said this mix of competition and practice helps him mentally. He uses observation to identify habits he wants to avoid or habits he wants to adopt when he re-enters the rotation.

Matas Buzelis has also drawn attention for his recent ball handling. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged a career-high three turnovers per game in the early days of the season. He recorded five turnovers in a recent game in Philadelphia. Buzelis has spent the last few days reviewing game film to address the issue. He said he sometimes attacks without a gap and needs to find better ways to drive offensively.

Nic Claxton continues to recover from a hamstring injury. He ramped up his activity level but did not play in Wednesday's game in New York. The team remains optimistic that he will make his season debut during the upcoming three-game homestand.

The Windy City Bulls host the first of the two games on Friday. Swain, Awaka, and Sellers will suit up for the affiliate team in both contests before rejoining the Bulls for Sunday's matchup with Philadelphia.