At the 7:14 mark of the first quarter in the Chicago Bulls' preseason debut, Julian Phillips checked into the game with Ayo Dosunmu. All in all, it was no surprise to see Dosunmu tapped on the back. The guard has been a fixture since his rookie season and many expected him to start as Billy Donovan's sixth man this year. The expectations for Julian Phillips, however, were undefined.

The second-year forward was drafted 35th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Chicago's front office was so confident in the prolific forward from Tennessee that they took him in the second round. A stunning jumper with a long frame, Phillips' combination of size and athleticism was undoubtedly an attraction. But he was also remarkably raw. Because of this, Phillips ultimately only appeared in 40 games last season, averaging just 8.1 minutes per night.

Nonetheless, the Bulls are clearly attracted to what Phillips has to offer and are now in a position to extend his leash. The front office has taken an obvious step backwards this offseason as it sets its sights on player development. And Tuesday night's meeting with Cleveland could be our first signal that Phillips' growth in particular is high on their to-do list. The 20-year-old finished the night with 9 points, 4 rebounds and a block in 26 minutes of play.

The Bulls could certainly use a player like Phillips. Phillips is limited at the wing due to his traditional size and stands out due to his 1.80 meter tall stature. Not only should he have the ability to switch to multiple positions, but he also has real upside as a secondary rim protector thanks to his explosive verticality. In many ways, Phillips has the potential to be an even greater Derrick Jones Jr., an archetype that could fit this new-look Bulls team like a glove. For an offense that aims to move the ball quickly, Phillips can be a threat in transition and a half-court slasher. For a backcourt that is supposed to be extremely penetrable, Phillips can be a secondary defensive lineman.

Of course, this is all completely theoretical. Even if Phillips shows signs of being the player the Bulls want in practice – which may be why he's earned quick action off the bench – that has to be reflected in live game action . This is especially true considering he's not the only other young player fighting for minutes on this roster.

The reason Phillips' early decision was so intriguing is because the Bulls have several players fighting for what appears to be just one open spot in the rotation. Zach LaVine, Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Josh Giddey, Patrick Williams, Ayo Dosunmu, Jalen Smith and Matas Buzelis feel like locks to getting regular playing time. This is especially true after Buzelis turned heads in his preseason debut. Typically, Donovan has preferred to run a nine-man rotation, leaving only one spot open.

Don't the Bulls want to give Lonzo Ball a chance to resurface? Might they prefer experienced leadership in Torrey Craig or Jevon Carter? What about former first-round pick Dalen Terry, who showed signs of life defensively at the end of last season? Donovan may choose to go deep some nights, especially when Ball is present, but someone is going to be an underdog. Can Julian Phillips avoid being that someone?