Bulls Send Rookie Swain to G League for Live Reps

Dailyn Swain scored just two points and committed four turnovers in his sole regular season appearance this year.

The 15th overall pick from the June draft has spent recent weeks waiting for action. He has practiced with the development staff and teammates at the Ray Meyer Rec Center, but he lacked competitive minutes. Swain described the waiting period as a chance to observe and take mental notes. He said seeing veterans execute specific plays helps him prepare for his next opportunity on the court.

Coach Tiago Splitter announced the new plan on Wednesday. The Bulls will assign Swain, Tobe Awaka, and Jaylin Sellers to the G League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls. The trio will travel to Hoffman Estates for two games. They face the Noblesville Boom on Friday and Saturday. The main NBA roster takes a break from playing during those two days. The Bulls return to action on Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers.

Splitter said November is the month to focus on these three players. He emphasized the need for repetition and live shots. "Go and get minutes, get shots up. Repetition is going to be important for them," Splitter said. Swain expressed excitement about the move. He called it an opportunity to develop and work on specific skills while out of the regular rotation.

Swain identified his primary areas for improvement. He cited on-ball defense, getting his shot off quicker, and adjusting to team principles. He noted that he must learn to defend elite guards. He also mentioned the need to handle the ball as a primary handler. These were themes he worked on during the preseason. The regular season has offered fewer chances to refine those skills.

The plan includes rotating the players back up to the NBA team when the G League team has off days. This ensures Swain, Awaka, and Sellers maintain practice time with the varsity squad. The arrangement balances competitive minutes in the G League with integration into the main roster. The team aims to build their confidence and rhythm before the schedule tightens.

The move also affects Matas Buzelis, who has averaged three turnovers per game early in the season. He has been studying film to address his ball handling issues. Meanwhile, Nic Claxton continued ramping up activity after a hamstring injury. He was not ready for the Wednesday game in New York. The team expects him to make his season debut during the upcoming three-game home stand.