Dailyn Swain just told Bulls fans why they can ignore his atrocious summer league

While Chicago Bulls forward Caleb Wilson exploded at this year's Las Vegas Summer League, fellow rookie Dailyn Swain struggled (to put it nicely). But Swain's comments following those struggles should give Bulls fans a reason to look past his alarming performance.

Grabbing Wilson with the No. 4 pick in a stacked 2026 NBA Draft was a straightforward decision for Chicago's new front office, and his career couldn't have gotten off to a better start. Wilson was named to the All-Summer League First Team after averaging 23.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and 1.3 steals across four games while shooting 41.9 percent from 3-point range.

Swain's debut couldn't have gone worse. But there's no reason to fret.

Bulls' Dailyn Swain is approaching his rookie season with the right mindset

Chicago's decision to select Swain with the 15th pick this summer was a relative reach, but not overly surprising. Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham has a type, and a big, long, physical guard like Swain fits the mold.

But the 20-year-old massively underwhelmed in Sin City. He averaged just 4.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting a ghastly 4-of-31 from the field (12.9 percent) and missing all seven of his 3-point attempts.

It's critical to remember, though, that the Bulls handed Swain the keys to the summer offense. At 6-foot-7, he was the team's de facto point guard, something that can be overwhelming for a rookie, even in a relaxed setting.

But the Texas product understood the struggles were going to come, and seems self-aware enough to pinpoint what went wrong.

Per Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic (subscription required), Swain acknowledged that he got lost in his own head, overthinking instead of just playing. But he also recognized that being given the role of lead playmaker by his new head coach, Tiago Splitter, means the team believes in him even if he takes some lumps.

"Whenever a coach gives a young guy an opportunity, draft position, first round or not, you gotta be grateful for that,” Swain told Lorenzi. “
You got to go into it and embrace it, embrace the journey. Those dips, they make you grow up. 
They develop you, they prepare you for the worst."

The 2025-26 All-SEC performer surely won't step into the same role during the regular season. There's a chance it takes him a while to earn a significant role at all. But Bulls fans can relax knowing that Swain seems to have a good head on his shoulders and is ready to "embrace the journey."

Today's best reads

• Bulls have the luxury to let Dailyn Swain reel and luxury’s name is Caleb Wilson
• Bulls' next roster call becomes infinitely clearer as free agent market wears thin
• Caleb Wilson's Summer League breakout drops a heavy burden on another Bulls youngster
• Bulls' summer league struggles reinforce the brilliance of Norman Powell signing
• Bulls fans can't afford to panic over Dailyn Swain's Summer League no-show

This article was originally published on pippenainteasy.com as Dailyn Swain just told Bulls fans why they can ignore his atrocious summer league.