The Chicago Bulls aren't done dealing-and if the past 48 hours are any indication, buckle up. Arturas Karnisovas has been busy reshaping the roster, and with the trade deadline looming, the front office is clearly signaling that the rebuild is in full swing. Last night marked the fifth move in a flurry of trades, and while this one might not carry the same weight as the others, it still speaks volumes about the Bulls’ current priorities-and lingering problems.
Dalen Terry Out, Guerschon Yabusele In
Let’s start with the headline: Dalen Terry is headed to the New York Knicks, and in return, the Bulls are bringing in Guerschon Yabusele. On paper, this is a low-risk move that addresses a glaring need-size and physicality in the frontcourt.
Terry, a 2022 first-round pick, never quite found his footing in Chicago. Some of that comes down to limited opportunities in the rotation, but even when he did see the floor, he struggled to carve out a role amid a crowded backcourt. With guards like Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, and Tre Jones ahead of him, Terry simply didn’t have the same impact or upside.
Enter Yabusele-a 30-year-old forward whose NBA journey has been anything but conventional. After an early stint that saw more G-League minutes than NBA ones, he returned to the league with a vengeance.
Last season, he averaged 27 minutes per game, putting up 11 points and nearly 6 rebounds while playing with a physical edge that the Bulls have sorely lacked this year. He’s not a long-term solution, but in the short term, he brings toughness on the boards and some much-needed versatility at the forward spot.
A Step Forward-But Not the Finish Line
This move gives Chicago a bit of cap flexibility and a rotational piece who can bang in the paint and defend multiple positions. But let’s be clear: it doesn’t solve the bigger issues Karnisovas still needs to address before the trade deadline hits.
The most pressing? The logjam at guard and the glaring hole at center.
Right now, the Bulls are carrying six guards who all expect minutes: Ayo Dosunmu, Tre Jones, Josh Giddey, Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, and Collin Sexton. Unless multiple trades are coming in the next few hours, there simply won’t be enough playing time to go around.
That’s not just a depth chart problem-it’s a development problem. Young players need minutes, and right now, there’s no clear path for that to happen.
The second issue is the lack of a true rim protector. The Bulls have been undersized and outmatched in the paint all season, and while Yabusele helps on the glass, he’s not the kind of shot-blocking, lob-catching big that can anchor a defense. Karnisovas needs to find a young, athletic center who can grow with this core and bring some interior presence-something this roster has been missing for far too long.
What Comes Next?
Karnisovas has options. He’s armed with five recently acquired second-round picks, which could be used to grease the wheels on a bigger deal. The question is: who’s on the move, and what kind of return can the Bulls realistically expect?
If Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, or Jaden Ivey are staying put-as current indications suggest-then the front office has to make tough calls on guys like Anfernee Simons or Collin Sexton. Packaging one of them with a few second-rounders might be the key to landing a big man who fits the Bulls’ timeline.
There’s still time, and clearly, there’s still work to be done. The Bulls have already made five trades, but the sixth-or seventh-could be the one that finally balances this roster and gives fans a clearer picture of what the next phase looks like.
For now, Yabusele joins the mix as a physical, experienced forward who can hold his own in the rotation. But don’t expect the phones in Chicago’s front office to go silent anytime soon.
This deadline isn’t just about clearing space-it’s about setting the foundation for whatever comes next. And with the clock ticking, Karnisovas still has a few major boxes left to check.