The Chicago Bulls didn’t just shake up their roster at the trade deadline - they detonated it. Eight players out the door in two weeks, followed by six straight losses, sends a pretty clear message: the Bulls are leaning into a full reset. Whether you call it a tank or a teardown, Chicago is pivoting toward the future, and they’re doing it with one thing in mind - flexibility.
Cap Space Is King - But What’s the Plan?
Right now, there’s no detailed blueprint laid out by Artūras Karnišovas and the Bulls’ front office. But one thing is crystal clear: they’ve prioritized cap space.
The trades weren’t just about moving pieces - they were about clearing the books. And while financial flexibility is a powerful tool in today’s NBA, it’s only as good as how you use it.
This summer should give us a clearer sense of direction. Karnišovas has emphasized a desire to add “experienced young players,” which points toward one specific market: restricted free agency. That’s where the Bulls could find the kind of upside they’re looking for - young talent with room to grow, but also enough NBA mileage to contribute right away.
Why Restricted Free Agency Could Be the Bulls’ Sweet Spot
The unrestricted free agent class in 2026 has big names - LeBron James, Norman Powell, Kristaps Porziņģis - and even a couple of familiar faces in Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White. But from a strategic standpoint, restricted free agency might offer more value for a team like Chicago.
This year’s restricted class has some intriguing names that fit the Bulls’ target profile: Jalen Duren, Tari Eason, Walker Kessler, Bennedict Mathurin, Peyton Watson, and Mark Williams. These are young players who’ve already shown they can contribute, and they’re just entering their prime.
Duren, for instance, would be a dream addition - a physical, athletic big with a high ceiling - but prying him away from Detroit won’t be easy. The Pistons have both the cap space and the incentive to keep him.
Other names, though, might be more within reach.
Tari Eason: A Two-Way Wing with Upside
Tari Eason is already on Chicago’s radar, and it’s easy to see why. He’s a physical, defensive-minded wing who’s shooting 46% from deep and averaging 1.8 “stocks” (steals plus blocks) per game. That’s the kind of two-way impact every team covets.
But Houston’s roster construction could make things interesting. The Rockets have already committed major money to Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr., and they’re paying Dorian Finney-Smith $53 million to come off the bench. With Amen Thompson’s extension on the horizon, Houston may have to make some tough financial decisions - and that could open the door for a team like Chicago to make a serious play for Eason.
Peyton Watson: Breakout Year, Big Price Tag?
Then there’s Peyton Watson in Denver. He’s having a breakout season, and the Nuggets want to keep him - but they’re already staring at a projected $186 million payroll for their starting five in 2026-27. That’s a lot of coin, even for a contender.
If Watson’s price tag rises - and all signs point to that happening - the Bulls could test Denver’s resolve with an aggressive offer sheet. It wouldn’t be cheap, but it might be the kind of calculated risk that pays off.
Walker Kessler: A Big Bet in the Paint?
Walker Kessler is another name to watch. The Jazz reportedly value him around $25 million per year, but his camp is said to be pushing for more. That’s a sizable gap, and if the Bulls believe Kessler fits their long-term vision - a 7-foot-2 rim protector with upside - they could throw out an offer that forces Utah’s hand.
Again, it’s a gamble. But that’s the nature of restricted free agency.
You’re betting that the incumbent team either can’t or won’t match a big offer. And even when you do everything right, you might still end up empty-handed.
The Bulls Have Flexibility - Now Comes the Hard Part
This is the situation Chicago has created for itself: a clean cap sheet, a retooled roster, and a front office with options. But flexibility isn’t a strategy on its own - it’s a means to an end. The Bulls now have to turn that flexibility into actual talent.
Restricted free agency gives them a shot at doing just that. It’s risky, no doubt.
Offer sheets can tie up cap space and backfire if teams match. But it’s also one of the few avenues where teams can chase young, ascending talent without giving up assets in return.
Chicago’s front office has made their move. The teardown is done. Now it’s time to build - and the next few months will tell us whether the Bulls can make the leap from cap space to cornerstone.