The Chicago Bulls went into the offseason needing someone who could protect the rim. They weren't particularly good at stopping opponents last season, and another year of watching teams get whatever they wanted around the basket wasn't going to help a young roster develop.
That's why acquiring Nic Claxton from Brooklyn made sense. He's athletic, can defend around the basket and gives Chicago a legitimate starting center. Unfortunately, the Bulls haven't even played a regular-season game with him yet, and they're already dealing with an injury that could complicate their plans.
Nic Claxton's injury comes at a terrible time for Chicago
Claxton tweaked his hamstring during training camp and will be reevaluated in two weeks, according to head coach Tiago Splitter.
That takes him out of the entire preseason. More importantly, the reevaluation is expected around October 19, just two days before Chicago opens its regular season against Toronto.
Not exactly ideal for a player trying to settle in with a new team.
Claxton averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.1 blocks in 69 games for Brooklyn last season. Those numbers aren't going to blow anyone away, but scoring was never the primary reason Chicago wanted him.
The Bulls needed someone who could defend the paint without constantly requiring help from his teammates.
Claxton was supposed to provide that.
Instead, Splitter is spending the preseason figuring out how to handle his absence while also dealing with injuries elsewhere in the frontcourt.
Bulls suddenly have a bigger problem at center
The Claxton injury would be frustrating enough by itself. What makes it worse is that Zach Collins has also been dealing with a quadriceps injury.
Collins played only 10 games last season after wrist and toe injuries required surgery. Chicago brought him back expecting him to provide depth, but his latest setback has made the situation more complicated.
That leaves Jalen Smith as an important option in the middle.
Smith can contribute, and he'll have an opportunity to show what he can do with additional minutes. But there's a reason the Bulls went out and acquired Claxton rather than simply handing Smith the starting job.
Chicago finished last season with a 31-51 record and ranked 22nd defensively. The front office wasn't looking for another scoring option at center. It wanted someone who could make opposing players think twice about attacking the basket.
Claxton has the tools to do that, provided he's healthy.
Splitter addressed the situation Wednesday, telling reporters that Claxton's ability to run the floor, protect the rim and finish around the basket makes him an important part of what Chicago wants to accomplish.
The problem is that the Bulls won't get much time to see how those pieces fit together before the games begin counting.
Chicago can't afford another season of uncertainty
Nobody should be declaring the Claxton acquisition a mistake because of a hamstring injury in October. That would be ridiculous.
But there's a difference between an injury being relatively minor and its timing being a problem.
Chicago has a new head coach, several new players and a young roster still trying to establish itself. The preseason was supposed to give Splitter an opportunity to experiment with lineups and develop some chemistry.
Instead, his projected starting center is watching from the sidelines.
The Bulls also have to consider Claxton's recent injury history. He dealt with back problems during his time in Brooklyn, although he appeared in 69 games last season.
Rushing him back to make an opening-night appearance would accomplish very little if it resulted in a longer absence.
For a team that hasn't reached the playoffs in four consecutive seasons, patience isn't always an easy sell. Fans want progress, particularly after another offseason of roster changes.
But the Bulls didn't acquire Claxton for one game against Toronto. They brought him in to help establish a defensive identity that has been missing for years.
If he needs additional time, Chicago would be better off giving it to him.
The concern isn't necessarily that Claxton will miss opening night. It's that the Bulls are already facing questions about their frontcourt before they've had a chance to see their biggest addition play a meaningful minute.
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