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- calendar_today October 10, 2026
Dailyn Swain’s Developmental Roadmap
The Chicago Bulls have crafted a clear developmental plan for rookie Dailyn Swain, one that will include stints in the G League. No matter how well Swain performs in the remainder of preseason play, an eventual assignment to the Windy City Bulls is expected. Yet, the young guard is making efforts to show progress and instill confidence in coaches and staff as the preseason unfolds.
Early Preseason Challenges
Through two games of preseason play, Swain has been thrust into the spotlight. Injuries, such as Tre Jones nursing a sore hip, have left the Bulls thin at the ball handler spot behind starting point guard Josh Giddey. As a result, Swain has found himself handling primary ball-handler duties off the bench.
This is not unfamiliar territory, as the Bulls experimented with Swain in this role during Summer League in Las Vegas. However, the results were rough. Swain admitted that his Summer League performances left much to be desired, but coaches have noticed improvement since July.
Progress and Setbacks on the Court
Improvements with the ball have been evident, but Friday’s 104-100 loss to Memphis was a reminder that Swain, the No. 15 overall draft pick, remains a work in progress as a rookie point guard. In the preseason opener against Phoenix, the Suns challenged Swain by pressing him full-court, exposing some shakiness in his game. By the second half, coach Tiago Splitter adjusted, encouraging teammates to help Swain with screens, allowing him more freedom.
Reflecting on that adjustment, Swain said, “I just had to stop playing with the ball in the backcourt. Just make a decision and go. People came back and helped on the ball, set screens in the backcourt so it just freed up things for me.”
Sparking Confidence and Growth
After the halftime adjustments against Phoenix, Swain demonstrated greater comfort, finishing with six assists and a perfect shooting performance (3-of-3) for 10 points, despite a difficult first half featuring two turnovers and a minus-9 plus-minus rating. "I’m just trying to get as comfortable as I can out there play-by-play," said Swain. "I got great vets and some of the young guys helping me out from the sidelines, letting me know what they see, so that helps me a lot."
Against Memphis, Swain’s versatility was on display as Splitter played him both with and without the ball. He impressed with a backdoor dunk off a Buddy Hield pass and added four assists in his 18 minutes of action.
The Role of the G League in Swain’s Journey
Coach Tiago Splitter has reiterated the organization's long-term vision for Swain as a primary ball handler. Once the G League season begins in early November, Swain will continue to develop his skills with the main roster before transitioning to games with the Windy City Bulls as opportunities arise. With Jones’s injury considered day-to-day, it’s anticipated he’ll be ready for the start of the regular season, which may reduce the immediate pressure on Swain.
Learning from Experience
Mental growth has also been a focus for Swain since his Summer League performances. “Just not beating myself up about it,” Swain said of his evolving mindset. He credited reviewing gametime film and listening to his teammates and coaches for his increasing comfort and confidence. “It shows that it’s not about how you start, it’s how you finish. It’s a credit to my teammates for keeping my head up, credit to Coach for not allowing me to beat myself up, but also not like piling on. They encouraged me and did a great job with that.”
Source: chicago.suntimes.com.
