NBA Player News

Podziemski (rest) and the Warriors agreed to a five-year, $110 million contract extension Saturday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

The deal is a fully guaranteed, rookie-scale contract extension that includes a mutual option for the 2031-32 season. Podziemski is coming off a 2025-26 campaign in which he averaged career highs in points (13.8) and three-pointers (1.9) while starting in 43 of 82 regular-season games. Podziemski figures to start alongside Stephen Curry (rest) in the backcourt to open the 2026-27 season, though that could change once Jimmy Butler (knee) is cleared to return, which likely won't be until after the calendar flips to 2027.

Essengue posted five points (1-6 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 3-4 FT) and two rebounds in 19 minutes during Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to the Grizzlies.

After missing all of last season due to a left shoulder injury, Essengue is healthy, but he's still shaking off some rust. In two preseason games, he's 1-for-10 from the field with minimal peripheral production. Essengue appears to be buried on the depth chart, with the Bulls selecting Caleb Wilson at No. 4 and Dailyn Swain at No. 15 in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Williams produced three points (1-3 FG, 1-2 3Pt) and three rebounds in 10 minutes during Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to the Grizzlies.

The 2020 No. 4 overall pick continues to fall out of favor in Chicago despite being in the middle of a four-year, $72 million contract. The Bulls drafted Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain this offseason to pair with Matas Buzelis, plus 2025 lottery pick Noa Essengue figures to be ahead of Williams on the developmental priority list as well.

Thompson finished with eight points (4-8 FG), seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block in 24 minutes during Friday's 135-117 preseason win over the Mavericks.

As usual, Thompson contributed across the board. However, he committed an uncharacteristic six turnovers and didn't attempt a three-pointer. Thompson has been working on his free throws and jumper with shooting coach Chip Engelland this offseason after making just 21.6 percent of his three-point attempts last year. Despite being a subpar three-point shooter, Thompson turned in a career year in 2025-26, averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.6 blocks across 37.4 minutes per game in 79 regular-season appearances. He parlayed that success into a five-year, $208 million extension this offseason.

Boozer logged 10 points (3-5 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds and three assists during Friday's 104-100 preseason win over the Bulls.

All of Boozer's production came in the first half, with the third-overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft observing the final two quarters of Friday's game from the bench. With Ja Morant in Portland, Boozer figures to be a center piece to Memphis' game plan on a night-to-night basis, with the Duke product forming a starting frontcourt with Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells, with veteran Jerami Grant also in the mix for heavy playing time.

Jackson finished Friday's 104-100 preseason win over the Bulls with 14 points (5-9 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 3-4 FT), four rebounds, one assist and one block over 17 minutes.

Jackson ended up leading the Grizzlies in field-goal attempts and finished Friday's exhibition contest as the team's second-leading scorer behind Ty Jerome (16 points). Jackson has enjoyed some success in Memphis since being selected by the franchise in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft, though he figures to be limited to a bench role given the offseason additions of Cameron Boozer (2026 Draft) and Jerami Grant (trade).

Jerome tallied 16 points (5-8 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four assists and one rebound over 14 minutes during Friday's 104-100 preseason win over the Bulls.

All of Jerome's production came in the first half, with the veteran point guard sitting out for last two quarters. He was limited to just 15 regular-season games last year due to ankle and calf injuries, but now that Ja Morant is in Portland, Jerome figures to start alongside Cedric Coward in Memphis' backcourt, with Scotty Pippen and Cam Spencer providing depth.

Miller logged 12 points (5-11 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-3 FT), 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal over 23 minutes during Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to Memphis.

It was another strong preseason performance out of Miller, who was close to recording a double-double in the first half alone (eight points and eight rebounds). Even with a strong preseason to solidify his spot on the 15-man roster, Miller faces an uphill battle to playing time, as he figures to operate behind the likes of Patrick Williams, rookie Dailyn Swain, Jalen Smith (foot) and Zach Collins (toe).

Giddey finished Friday's 104-100 preseason loss to Memphis with 13 points (3-7 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 6-7 FT), three assists, three rebounds and one block over 23 minutes.

Giddey was one of four Bulls players to score in double digits during Friday's exhibition contest, and he finished as the team's third-leading scorer behind rookie Caleb Wilson (21) and veteran Norman Powell (17). Giddey is aiming to build off a productive 2025-26 season, during which he averaged career highs across the board, including in points (17.0), assists (9.1) and rebounds (8.3), though his 44.8 percent field-goal rate were his lowest since his rookie campaign with the Thunder in 2021-22 (41.9 percent on 12.4 FGA/G).

Powell registered 17 points (3-6 FG, 1-2 FT, 10-12 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal over 19 minutes during the Bulls' 104-100 preseason loss to the Grizzlies.

Powell attempted only six field goals during Friday's exhibition game, but thanks to his work at the charity stripe, he finished as the Bulls' second-leading scorer behind rookie Caleb Wilson (21 points). Powell inked a two-year contract with the Bulls in July following his 2025-26 All-Star campaign with the Heat and will form a starting backcourt with Josh Giddey for the upcoming season. Matas Buzelis left Friday's game early due to an ankle injury, and although it was likely a precautionary move to leave him off the court the rest of the way, it's an injury that could impact Powell's usage early on in the season.