The Chicago Bulls have been trying to figure out how to get out of NBA purgatory for the past few seasons. But they have failed to do so, and it doesn’t look like they are any closer this season.
Bulls Reveal Four Players Who They Won’t Trade And What It Means As NBA Trade Season Heats Up
After getting off to its best start since 2021-22, Chicago has lost 11 of its last 15. With a 125-120 setback to Orlando last night, the Bulls closed a four-game road trip winless and are now 9-11 on the season and 3-9 on the road.
Defense has been a huge issue for the Bulls. The Bulls have allowed 120 points in 15 games thus far and are allowing 123.2 per game this season, which is the third most in the league. That number increases to nearly 127.9 points over the last 10. They are allowing 124.9 points on the road and are being outscored by 5 points per game.
Chicago’s perimeter defense has been solid this season, but its frontcourt has been absolutely atrocious on that end. The Bulls are allowing a league-high 77.4 points to opposing frontcourts. Opposing frontcourts are shooting 48.9% from the field and 36.5% from deep. The Bulls are allowing a league-high 58 paint points a game, though they have done a good job protecting the rim. Center and power forward have been their biggest issues, as Isaac Okoro has been solid on the wing.
According to Jamal Collier of ESPN, the Bulls front office has had internal discussions about making a run at Anthony Davis if he becomes available. At the same time, sources told Collier that Davis is viewed as a potential solution for the team’s poor interior defense. However, those sources added that the Bulls are reluctant to make any move that involves giving up a portion of their young core until they become more competitive.
“I don’t think going out and chasing X megastar is the way to proceed — at least today,” Collier reported a source told him.
Should The Bulls Look To Trade For Anthony Davis?
While it is nice to dream about trading for a star, Davis would be a significant upgrade for the Bulls, and he is a native Chicagoan. But the possibility begs a couple of questions. Is it worth trading for a 33-year-old who can’t seemingly stay healthy? And what would it cost the Bulls to trade for Davis? Plus, who are the Bulls’ young core?
Davis has played just 15 games since Dallas acquired him at the NBA’s February trade deadline, and he didn’t play in the Mavericks’ last game on Saturday. Davis, who has two seasons and $120 million left on his deal, has only played 60+ games twice since 2019-20.
Joe Zucker of Bleacher Report suggested that the Bulls could pry Davis from Dallas for Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and 1–2 first-round picks. Trading Davis would signal that the Mavericks are rebuilding around Cooper Flagg, so this deal may work depending on where the Bulls’ first-round picks in 2026 fall. Collins and Huerter are unrestricted free agents at the end of the season, while Jones is a cheap backup point guard, which the Mavs need with potentially two years remaining. The Bulls have their own first-round draft picks for the next seven years and an additional 2026 top-14-protected first from Portland. They can trade up to five firsts and five second-round picks,
CBS suggested sending Coby White, filler contracts, and picks to Dallas for Davis. Meanwhile, Clutch Points proposed Josh Giddey or Matas Buzelis being part of a package with picks.
Josh Giddey Part of The Bulls Future Core
However, the Bulls aren’t reportedly interested in trading Giddey, Buzelis, White, or 2025 first-round pick Noa Essengue.
“Chicago still sees Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis as its future core, team sources said, along with rookie Noa Essengue, the No. 12 pick in the 2025 draft who does not turn 19 until later this month,” Collier relayed.
With White missing more of the season, Giddey has stepped up his offensive production. Known for his efficiency and playmaking ability, Giddey averages 20.5 points on 46.9% shooting from the field and 1.6 threes at 39.2% from deep. The 23-year-old also averages 10 rebounds and 9.3 assists while producing 13 double-doubles along with four triple-doubles. He inked a four-year, $100 million deal this summer.
White has been highly productive despite only playing five games. The 25-year-old guard, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, has missed the past two games with an ankle injury and illness. He averages 24.6 points, 3.0 threes, and 6.2 assists.
Buzelis, 21, has taken a step in his development in year two but still needs to be more consistent. Meanwhile, Essengue has played just 6 minutes across two games for the Bulls. However, he has impressed during his limited time with the Windy City Bulls in the G League, averaging 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in 31 minutes across four games.
What Could The Bulls Do To Improve?
Given that reality, the Bulls’ only likely way to improve is to ride out the season and re-sign White, or deal him in a sign-and-trade if he wants out. Ayo Dosunmu will also be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and the Bulls are reportedly interested in keeping him around, though again, that may not happen.
They still could trade Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams, and Kevin Huerter. Vucevic and Huerter are on expiring contracts. Vucevic is likely the only player with any semblance of value, a couple of second-rounders, and contract fillers, as he is 35 and his production has declined a touch this year. The best solution would be for the Bulls to package Vucevic, Williams, and/or Huerter, and they could likely get a mid-tier starter and second-round pick(s).
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