Chicago Bulls part ways with rookie Wooga Poplar, clearing a path to Windy City Bulls and a potential bonus
The Chicago Bulls have made a notable decision ahead of training camp, waiving rookie shooting guard Wooga Poplar. This move, as indicated by the league’s player transaction log, was anticipated given Poplar’s signing of a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 training camp deal.
Poplar’s next likely destination will be the Windy City Bulls, Chicago’s G League affiliate. If he remains with the Windy City squad for a minimum of 60 days, he will become eligible for a bonus that could reach up to $85,300.
Who is Wooga Poplar?
Wooga Poplar’s basketball journey has taken him from the Miami Hurricanes to Villanova, where he played his senior year during the 2024-25 season. Standing at 6-foot-5, Poplar had an impressive season with the Wildcats, averaging 15.3 points per game on shooting splits of .460/.387/.856, along with contributing 7.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals. His performance earned him a spot on the All-Big East Third Team, showcasing his skills on a competitive stage.
Current roster dynamics
With Poplar’s departure, the Bulls now have only two players signed to Exhibit 10 deals: former University of Missouri guard Caleb Grill and former University of Pittsburgh power forward/center Mouhamadou Gueye. While Exhibit 10 signings can sometimes be transitioned into two-way contracts, all of Chicago’s two-way slots are currently filled by combo forward Emanuel Miller, center Lachlan Olbrich—who was selected in the second round of this year’s draft—and point guard Yuki Kawamura.
Bulls’ offseason strategy
This summer has been relatively quiet for the Bulls, a situation that team president Arturas Karnisovas seems to prefer. In the recent draft, Chicago selected 6-foot-10 forward Noah Essengue from Ratiopharm Ulm with their 12th overall pick and added Olbrich at 55. The franchise also made headlines by trading oft-injured point guard Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for wing Isaac Okoro, who played a key role as a 10th man in the playoffs.
Additionally, the Bulls secured restricted free agent point guard Josh Giddey with a lucrative four-year, $100 million contract, while also re-signing backup point guard Tre Jones for three years at $24 million.
This series of moves represents the entirety of the Bulls’ offseason efforts, a team that finished the last season with a 39-43 record and missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The organization seems to be embracing a soft rebuild approach, aiming to field a team that remains competitive yet avoids the pitfalls of a disastrous record that might lead to a top lottery pick.
Future considerations
As the Bulls continue to navigate their roster dynamics, speculation remains about potential trades and acquisitions. There are calls for the team to pursue a rim-protecting center and rumors surrounding the possible addition of players like Jonathan Kuminga from the Warriors. Meanwhile, the organization is also weighing the implications of a blockbuster three-team trade that could see them part with a fan-favorite star.
With the training camp approaching, all eyes will be on how these developments unfold and what they mean for the future of the franchise.
