By R.L. Bynum
Caleb Wilson put together two productive weekend preseason games for the Chicago Bulls and showed why he was the NBA draft’s fourth overall pick, even as the team lost both games.
The rookie scored 21 points Friday at home against Memphis, then followed with 17 points Sunday in Denver.
Friday’s effort came with a late burst. Wilson scored one point in the first half, then 20 after halftime, and finished 5-of-11 on 3-pointers with four rebounds and a steal in 31½ minutes. His 3-pointer with 55 seconds left cut Memphis’ lead to 102–100, and in the final seconds he took a step-back 3-pointer that could have put the Bulls ahead. It missed short, and the Grizzlies held on for a 104–100 win.
“Get experience, getting minutes, getting touches. I think it’s important for him,” Bulls coach Tiago Splitter said on why he kept Wilson in the game for the final possessions.
Wilson was more efficient from the field Sunday in his first road game, going 6-for-10 with four rebounds, five assists and a blocked shot in 25½ minutes as Denver beat Chicago 133–128.
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The Bulls were without several big men, and Wilson could be an option there.
“The game is really transitioning right now so I don’t want to box myself into a role,” Wilson said when asked if he saw himself as a small forward, power forward or a center. The Chicago Sun-Times reported that he settled on playing mostly as a three at the NBA level but was open to whatever the team asked.
Elsewhere around the league:
—Cameron Johnson started for Denver on Sunday and scored 15 points in nearly 25 minutes, making four of five 3-pointers, in the Nuggets’ win over Chicago.
—Leaky Black scored four points Thursday in Sacramento’s 114–110 loss to the Lakers, then made all three of his 3-point attempts on the way to nine points and three rebounds Saturday in a 111–106 road loss to Golden State.
—Caleb Love had four points and five assists Thursday in Philadelphia’s 114–108 loss at Brooklyn, then three points Saturday in a 144–106 loss at Boston. Drake Powell scored four points for the Nets in the win over the 76ers, and Day’Ron Sharpe sat out with left shoulder soreness.
—Drake Powell scored four points for Brooklyn Thursday against the 76ers. Day’Ron Sharpe sat out the game with left shoulder soreness.
—Harrison Barnes scored seven points in 16½ minutes Thursday in San Antonio’s 123–116 home loss against Atlanta, then had six points and a steal in nearly 17 minutes Saturday in a 102–98 road defeat against Phoenix.
—RJ Davis did not play Thursday for the Spurs against Atlanta but logged nearly 4½ minutes Saturday against the Suns, missing his only shot and turning the ball over twice.
—Pete Nance had three points and four rebounds for Milwaukee on Sunday in a 105–90 loss at Charlotte; Cormac Ryan didn’t play in that game for the Bucks.
—Tony Bradley didn’t play in New York’s 111–109 home loss to Washington on Thursday.
—Lakers center Walker Kessler missed Thursday’s game against Sacramento with a jammed finger.
Harrison Barnes, San Antonio Spurs forward
Age 34 | 6–7, 225 | 15th season | $8 million salary | UNC 2010–12 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Reserve forward
Final statistics last season — 77 games, 9.9 points, 45.6 FG%, 38.8 3P%, 82.9 FT%, 2.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Thursday — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (home) | didn’t start: 16:30, 7 points, 2–5 FG, 1–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, +3
Saturday — Suns 102, Spurs 98 (road) | didn’t start: 16:54, 6 points, 2–5 FG, 2–5 3FG, 1 steal, 1 turnover, +3
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday at Utah
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Leaky Black, Sacramento Kings guard
Age 27 | 6–6, 209 | 4th season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2018–23 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
Final G League statistics last season (Capital City) — 38 games, 10.3 points, 45.6 FG%, 36.5 3P%, 66.7 FT%, 7.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals
Final NBA statistics last season (Wizards) — 15 games, 7.1 points, 38.8 FG%, 34.5 3FG%, 87.5 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.2 steals
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (road) | didn’t start: 10:45, 4 points, 2–2 FG, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, -3
Saturday — Warriors 111, Kings 106 (road) | didn’t start: 17:21, 9 points, 3–4 FG, 3–3 3FG, 3 rebounds, 1 turnover, 1 foul, -1
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Portland
Season opener — 10:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Los Angeles Clippers
Tony Bradley, New York Knicks center
Age 28 | 6–10, 248 | 8th pro season | Exhibit 9 contract | UNC 2016–17 (1 season)
Final statistics last season — 41 games, 4.0 points, 54.7 FG%, 50.0 3P%, 74.4 FT%, 2.8 rebounds
Preseason opener — 76ers 120, Knicks 97 (Monday) | didn’t start: 6:05, 2 points, 1–1 FG, -2
Thursday — Wizards 111, Knicks 109 (home) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 7:30 Monday vs. Minnesota, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Philadelphia, NBC
RJ Davis, San Antonio Spurs guard
Age 24 (turns 25 Oct. 21) | 6–0, 182 | second season | $1.35 million salary | UNC 2020–25 (5 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (South Bay) — 49 games, 18.4 points, 46.8 FG%, 42.4 3P%, 86.4 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists
Thursday — Hawks 123, Spurs 116 (home) | didn’t start: 7:15, 2 points, 1–2 FG, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, -8
Saturday — Suns 102, Spurs 98 (road) | didn’t start: 4:20, 0 points, 0–1 FG, 0–1 3FG, 2 turnovers, -3
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday at Utah
Season opener — 9:30 Tuesday, Oct. 20, vs. Oklahoma City, NBC/Peacock
Harrison Ingram, Utah Jazz forward
Age 23 (turns 24 Oct. 21) | 6–6, 230 | second season | $2.45 million salary | UNC 2023–24 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season (Austin) — 40 games, 16.6 points, 49.2 FG%, 34.0 3P%, 62.6 FT%, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists
NBA statistics last season (Spurs) — 7 games, 1.6 points, 83.3 FG%, 1-1 3P
Team record last season: 62–20, 2nd in Western Conference
Tuesday — Nuggets 117, Jazz 106 (home) | didn’t start: 7:35, 7 points, 3–5 FG, 1–1 3FG, 2–2 FT, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 fouls, +5
Next exhibition — 9 p.m. Monday vs. San Antonio
Season opener — 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at Phoenix
Cameron Johnson, Denver Nuggets forward
Age 30 | 6–8, 210 | 8th season | $22.5 million salary | UNC 2017–19 (2 seasons)
Roster situation — Starting small forward ahead of DeMar DeRozan
Final statistics last season — 54 games, 12.2 points, 48.0 FG%, 43.0 3P%, 83.9 FT%, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists
Team record last season: 54–28, 3rd in Western Conference
Sunday — Nuggets 133, Bulls 128 (home) | started: 24:52, 15 points, 5–7 FG, 4–5 3FG, 1–2 FT, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, +8
Next exhibition — 10:30 Wednesday at Los Angeles Clippers, NBATV
Season opener — 9:30 Thursday, Oct. 22, at Oklahoma City, ESPN
Walker Kessler, Los Angeles Lakers center
Age 25 | 7–2, 245 | 5th season | $30.11 million salary | UNC 2020–21 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Kevon Looney
Final statistics last season (Utah) — 5 games, 14.4 points, 70.3 FG%, 75.0 3P%, 70.0 FT%, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks
Thursday — Lakers 114, Kings 110 (home) | Didn’t play (coach’s decision; jammed finger)
Next exhibition — 10 p.m. Tuesday vs. Golden State, NBATV
Season opener — 10 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Golden State, ESPN
Caleb Love, Philadelphia 76ers guard
Age 25 | 6–3, 212 | 2nd season | $678,882 salary | UNC 2020–23 (3 seasons)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
NBA season statistics last season — 49 games (limited to 50 under his two-way contract), 10.4 points, 38.8 FG%, 31.8 3P%, 73.5 FT%, 2.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists
G League statistics last season — 10 games, 24.7 points, 43.3 FG%, 23.5 3P%, 75.8 FT%, 4.0 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 3.6 turnovers
Thursday — Nets 114, 76ers 108 (road) | didn’t start: 13:34, 4 points, 2–5 FG, 0–3 3FG, 5 assists, 2 fouls, +2
Saturday — Celtics 144, 76ers 106 (road) | didn’t start: 14:15, 3 points, 1–7 FG, 0–4 3FG, 1–3 FT, 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, -15
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Friday vs. Boston, NBATV
Season opener — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at New York, NBC
Pete Nance, Milwaukee Bucks center
Age 25 | 6–9, 225 | 3rd season | $2.76 million salary | UNC 2022–23 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season— 12 games, 19.0 points, 53.7 FG%, 40.3 3P%, 78.9 FT%, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.1 blocks
NBA statistics last season — 47 games, 5.4 points, 51.5 FG%, 42.0 3P%, 36.4 FT%, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Hornets 105, Bucks 90 (road) | didn’t start: 6:47, 3 points, 1–2 FG, 0–1 3FG, 1–2 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Chicago
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Drake Powell, Brooklyn Nets forward
Age 21 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $3.54 million salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Backup 2 guard behind Egor Demin
Final regular-season NBA statistics — 63 games, 6.5 points, 40.2 FG%, 28.0 3FG%, 89.6 FT%, 1.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists
Final regular-season G League statistics — 5 games, 11.8 points, 44.2 FG%, 36.4 3FG%, 72.7 FT%, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.6 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t start: 14:26, 4 points, 1–4 FG, 0–3 3FG, 2–2 FT, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 foul, +3
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Cormac Ryan, Milwaukee Bucks guard
Age 26 | 6–5, 195 | 2nd season | $680,985 salary | UNC 2024–25 (1 season)
Roster situation — Fighting for a roster spot; likely to play in G League
G League statistics last season — 31 games, 20.9 points, 48.8 FG%, 42.2 3P%, 89.0 FT%, 4.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.5 steals
NBA statistics last season — 11 games, 14.3 points, 52.0 FG%, 45.8 3P%, 92.3 FT%, 2.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 steal
Team record last season: 32–50, 11th in Eastern Conference
Sunday — Hornets 105, Bucks 90 (road) | didn’t play (coach’s decision)
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday vs. Chicago
Season opener — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Washington
Day’Ron Sharpe, Brooklyn Nets center
Age 25 | 6–10, 265 | 6th season | $10 million salary | UNC 2020–22 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting center ahead of Moritz Wagner
Final statistics last season — 62 games, 8.7 points, 60.1 FG%, 23.1 3FG%, 67.8 FT%, 6.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals
Team record last season: 20–62, 13th in Eastern Conference
Thursday — Nets 114, Sixers 108 (home) | didn’t play (left shoulder soreness)
Next exhibition — 7 p.m. Monday at Washington
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, vs. Charlotte
Coby White, Charlotte Hornets guard
Age 26 | 6–4, 210 | 8th season | $26.81 million salary | UNC 2018–19 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting point guard ahead of Dennis Schroder
Statistics last season (Bulls, Hornets) — 50 games, 17.4 points, 44.6 FG%, 36.2 3PFG, 81.7 FT%, 3.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists
Team record: 44–38, 9th in Eastern Conference
Will miss preseason after suffering a left calf strain during training camp
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Brooklyn
Caleb Wilson, Chicago Bulls forward
Age 20 | 6–10, 215 | Rookie season | $10.28 million salary | UNC 2025–26 (1 season)
Roster situation — Starting power forward ahead of Patrick Williams
Statistics last season (UNC) — 24 games, 19.8 points, 57.8 FG%, 25.9 3P%, 71.3 FT%, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks
Friday — Grizzlies 104, Bulls 100 (home) | started: 31:37, 21 points, 7–17 FG, 5–11 3FG, 2–6 FT, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 4 turnovers, 3 fouls, -18
Sunday — Nuggets 133, Bulls 128 (road) | started: 25:20, 17 points, 6–10 FG, 1–4 3FG, 4–7 FT, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 block, 5 turnovers, 3 fouls, +/- of 0
Next exhibition — 8 p.m. Wednesday at Milwaukee
Season opener — 7:30 Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Toronto
Likely out for season
Atlanta Hawks center Henri Veesaar (tore right ACL on Sept.15)
Photo via @chicagobulls
