The Chicago Bulls are staring down a familiar problem - and it’s a big one. Literally.
They still don’t have a long-term answer at center, and with the trade deadline fast approaching, the window is open for a bold move. The front office has the assets.
The question is whether they have the appetite.
If Executive VP Artūras Karnišovas is ready to swing for the fences, there are four potential targets who could not only fill the void in the middle but reshape the Bulls’ trajectory entirely. We’re talking high-risk, high-reward territory - the kind of moves that could either catapult Chicago into contention or blow up in spectacular fashion. But if the Bulls want out of NBA purgatory, the time to act might be now.
Let’s break down the four blockbuster names who could be in play - and why each one, despite the risk, might be worth the gamble.
Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks)
Towns’ name has been swirling in trade rumors as the Knicks hit a rough patch. New York has dropped nine of its last eleven, the locker room is reportedly tense, and Jalen Brunson has resorted to calling player-only meetings. That’s usually a sign the wheels are wobbling.
Towns hasn’t exactly been lighting it up during the slump. He’s averaging 17.9 points per game while shooting just 33.3% from three and 48.4% inside the arc - well below his usual efficiency.
But make no mistake: the talent is still there. He’s a five-time All-Star with elite offensive skills for a big man.
The contract is hefty - $53.1 million this year, $57.1 million next, and a $61 million player option for 2027-28 - but if his value dips along with his team’s performance, the Bulls could potentially acquire him at a discount. And if Towns finds his rhythm in a new environment, that deal might not look so bad after all.
Anthony Davis (Dallas Mavericks)
We all know the story here. When Davis is healthy, he’s a game-changer - a true All-NBA force on both ends of the floor.
The problem? He’s rarely healthy.
Since being traded to Dallas nearly a year ago, Davis has suited up for just 29 games. He’s currently sidelined again, this time with a hand injury.
At 32, the injuries are piling up, and his future with the Mavericks is murky. He’s seeking a contract extension, but Dallas may not be ready to commit long-term.
That opens the door for a potential homecoming. Davis is a Chicago native, and if the Bulls are willing to roll the dice on his availability, they might be able to land him without giving up the farm.
It’s a gamble, no doubt. But the upside?
A dominant interior presence who can anchor a playoff run - if he stays on the floor.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies)
This one hinges on what Memphis decides to do with Ja Morant. If the Grizzlies go full rebuild and move their former franchise cornerstone, Jaren Jackson Jr. could be next in line for a change of scenery.
Jackson brings a rare two-way skill set. He won Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23 and has quietly become a reliable shooter from deep, hitting 37.4% of his threes over the past two seasons on five attempts per game. He stretches the floor on offense and protects the rim on defense - a modern big in every sense.
He’s also just 24 years old, which fits the Bulls’ timeline if they want to build around a young core. If Memphis opens the door, Chicago should be ready to walk - or sprint - through it.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Now we’re talking about the dream scenario. The kind of move that changes everything.
The Bucks have been in a season-long spiral, and the writing’s on the wall: they’re no longer the contender they once were. Giannis has made it clear he wants to compete for championships, and if Milwaukee can’t offer that, his time there could be winding down.
If - and it’s a big if - he becomes available, the Bulls should be all in. That means first-round picks.
That means Matas Buzelis. That means whatever it takes.
You don’t pass on a chance to land a two-time MVP, especially when he’s still in his prime.
Would it be costly? Absolutely.
But this is Giannis. You don’t win in the NBA without a superstar, and there’s no one more capable of flipping the Bulls’ fortunes than the Greek Freak himself.
The Bulls Have the Ammo - Do They Have the Will?
Here’s the thing: Chicago has the pieces to make a major move. They control all their first-round picks.
They’ve got over $60 million in expiring contracts. They’ve got a promising rookie in Noa Essengue and a potential future star in Buzelis.
What they need now is the conviction to use those assets.
It’s easy to play it safe, to aim for the Play-In and hope for internal growth. But that’s not how you build a contender. If Karnišovas is serious about elevating this franchise, it’s time to take a swing - a real one - at an All-NBA talent.
Because the center position isn’t just a hole in the lineup. It’s a symbol of a team stuck in the middle. And if the Bulls want to rise above that, the deadline could be their best shot to do it.