Tank Commander: a slang term for an NBA player on a struggling team whose poor performance, inefficient high-volume shooting, or negative impact on the court helps secure losses to achieve a higher draft pick.<\/p>\n
Examples include: Wizards\u2019 Jordan Poole<\/a>, Warriors\/Timberwolves\u2019 D\u2019Angelo Russell<\/a>, and Bulls\u2019 Rob Dillingham<\/a>.<\/p>\n Dillingham\u2019s Stats with Bulls\u00a0<\/p>\n The Chicago Bulls acquired Dillingham in the Ayo Dosunmu<\/a> trade at the deadline. Since then, Dillingham is averaging<\/a> 6.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists on 36.9% shooting and 19.2% from three in 18.9 minutes per game with the Bulls.<\/p>\n The Bulls are 3-10 in games Dillingham has played. He had a negative plus-minus in all three of the wins, and only played five minutes in the victory against the Milwaukee Bucks.<\/p>\n Despite playing 20+ minutes in nine of his 13 games with the Bulls, Dillingham has only scored 10 points in two of them. Leonard Miller<\/a>, who was traded with Dillingham, has played better in fewer minutes. Miller has started a game for the Bulls, something Dillingham hasn\u2019t done yet. He has more games with 10+ points in only five games in which he played more than 20 minutes. Miller even has more threes made (seven) than Dillingham (six) in 10 fewer attempts.<\/p>\n Dillingham\u2019s play style doesn\u2019t fit his body type at all. He is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound point guard who takes most of his shots<\/a> in the paint and is one of the worst rim finishers in the league. He is also shooting below 20% from three. The only thing he adds on offense is his pace and passing, while being a negative on defense.<\/p>\n Dillingham fits the description of a tank commander. He is performing poorly with inefficient shooting and a negative impact on a struggling team. The Bulls playing him 20+ minutes per game is securing losses to achieve a higher draft pick.<\/p>\n This Is A Good Thing?<\/p>\n This is not a Rob Dillingham hate piece. Yes, his poor performance is losing the Bulls games, but they should continue<\/a> to play him 20+ minutes. Not just because the Bulls should try to get the best lottery odds, but because it is the best for Dillingham\u2019s development.<\/p>\n The Bulls traded for multiple guards at the trade deadline; Dillingham was the only one not on an expiring contract. He has two more years on his rookie contract. Dillingham is a former top-10 pick who is guaranteed to be part of the Bulls\u2019 future. It is in Chicago\u2019s best interest to develop him. Letting him play through mistakes will give him confidence on the court, something he lacked in Minnesota.<\/p>\n Dillingham on this opportunity: \u201cReally just confidence, confidence from my teammates, confidence from my coaches, and really confidence in myself. I really just feel like I haven’t got to get an opportunity where I feel confident.<\/p>\n I’m just waiting for the spark to come back.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/OiK2enrZm3<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) February 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Donovan\u2019s Changing Philosophy<\/p>\n It also shows that Billy Donovan<\/a>\u2018s philosophy is changing. Matas Buzelis<\/a> had a short leash in his rookie year and didn\u2019t get much playing time until the end of the season.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve never been a real big believer that you just sit there and take young guys, throw minutes at them and think they\u2019re going to get better,\u201d Donovan said<\/a> in 2024.\u201dI think there has to be responsibility and accountability when you\u2019re out there. Not that you have to just make shots, [but also] follow the game plan, blocking out, things that you have control over.\u201d<\/p>\n Donovan is continuing to give Dillingham developmental minutes, even though he is performing poorly. This is good news for Noa Essengue<\/a>, who is also a raw player who needs developmental minutes next season, and for whoever the Bulls take in the 2026 draft. The Bulls are a young team full of prospect-type players. Donovan is prioritizing playing players who have a future with the Bulls over players who give them the best chance to win.<\/p>\n Tanking could mean giving up an entire year just for the possibility of the No. 1 pick, but the Bulls are adopting a Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz style of tanking. Developing young, potential-filled players over the course of the season means the season won\u2019t be a waste. The Wizards have developed Kyshawn George<\/a> and Will Riley<\/a> while tanking. The Utah Jazz have developed Keyonte George<\/a>, Isaiah Collier<\/a> and Kyle Filipowski<\/a> while tanking. The Bulls are now developing Buzelis and Dillingham while tanking.<\/p>\n