The Chicago Bulls might not be making headlines just yet, but behind the scenes, they’re working the phones-and hard. With the trade deadline approaching fast, the front office, led by executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas, is staying aggressive.
That’s nothing new. Reports going back to December already pegged Karnišovas as one of the more active executives in trade talks, and that energy hasn’t faded.
The Bulls recently picked up two future second-round picks by stepping in as a facilitator in the Cleveland-Sacramento deal. Those picks might not turn heads on their own, but they’re valuable currency in the trade market-especially for a team that’s clearly open for business.
Chicago is facing a bit of a crossroads this summer, with eight players potentially hitting free agency. Among them are guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu.
White, who’s expected to command a significant raise, is drawing some interest on the trade front. The Bulls have reportedly had conversations with both the Timberwolves and Rockets about him-and while nothing’s imminent, those talks aren’t dead.
Still, it’s Dosunmu and Spurs guard Tre Jones who are generating more traction. Why?
Simple: affordability. Jones, for example, is on a team-friendly three-year, $24 million deal, which makes him an appealing target for cap-conscious teams.
But Karnišovas isn’t just shopping his own guys-he’s also swinging big. He’s reportedly reached out to the Pelicans to gauge the availability of Zion Williamson and rookie big man Yves Missi.
He’s also made calls to Indiana about Bennedict Mathurin. Whether any of those conversations gain traction remains to be seen, but it’s clear the Bulls are looking to retool their roster with young, high-upside talent.
Speaking of the future, Chicago’s front office appears to be zeroing in on a new core: Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Noa Essengue. Giddey, still managing a hamstring issue, missed his third straight game on Sunday, but head coach Billy Donovan indicated he’s progressing and won’t be out much longer.
“I think he’s feeling better,” Donovan said. “But... they’re not going to put him out there until they see the tightness is gone.”
Essengue, the No. 12 pick in last year’s draft, only played two games before a shoulder injury ended his season, but the Bulls remain high on his potential. The front office sees him as a versatile defender with real transition upside-someone who could eventually take over the starting power forward role. That would allow Buzelis to slide into a more natural wing position, giving Chicago a long, athletic trio to build around.
Yves Missi also remains on the Bulls’ radar. The appeal?
He’s a rim-running center-exactly the kind of big Giddey hasn’t had the chance to play with yet. That pairing could unlock new wrinkles in Chicago’s offense, especially in pick-and-roll sets.
Meanwhile, Dalen Terry’s future with the team feels less certain. Now in his fourth season, he hasn’t carved out a consistent role in the rotation and didn’t receive a rookie scale extension before the October deadline.
That usually signals a player’s days might be numbered, but Terry isn’t pushing for a move. “I wouldn’t say that,” he said when asked about the possibility of a trade.
“I don’t put too much into it. The trade deadline is what it is.
You get traded, you get traded. Hopefully it’s to a good place if you do, or hopefully if you don’t, they make a trade, and a good player comes in.”
It’s a telling quote-and a reminder that while front offices are busy working the phones, the players are left to wait and see what the next few days bring.
Bottom line: The Bulls aren’t sitting on their hands. Whether it’s flipping second-rounders, exploring deals for their own free agents, or chasing bigger names like Williamson or Mathurin, Chicago is clearly positioning itself for a reset. The question now is whether they can turn all this activity into something that reshapes the franchise’s trajectory.