The Chicago Bulls may have stumbled onto a creative - and potentially franchise-shifting - opportunity: a path to acquiring promising young big man Yves Missi from the New Orleans Pelicans. But there’s a catch, and it comes with a hefty price tag in the form of Jordan Poole’s contract, which still has more than $34 million left on it through the 2026-27 season.
Let’s start with the core issue: the Bulls’ center rotation is in a tough spot. Nikola Vucevic is still logging over 30 minutes per night at age 35, but his best days are clearly behind him. He’s a smart, skilled veteran, but Chicago needs more athleticism and defensive presence at the five - especially if they want to build something sustainable.
Zach Collins was expected to provide some support in that department, but he’s only played 10 games this season and isn’t expected back until after the All-Star break. Jalen Smith has been a bright spot, showing flashes of growth and versatility, but he’s best suited as a complementary big - someone who thrives next to a true center in double-big lineups, not as the anchor on his own.
That’s where Yves Missi enters the conversation.
Missi, just 21 years old, has the kind of physical tools that make scouts and coaches lean forward in their chairs. At 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-2 wingspan and a 38-inch vertical (tops at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine), he brings rare athleticism and length to the position.
In his rookie campaign, he started 67 games and averaged 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in just under 27 minutes per contest. That’s solid production for a young big still learning the league - and his ceiling is even higher.
He’s the kind of rim-running, shot-blocking, high-motor big who could thrive next to a guard like Josh Giddey, who brings playmaking but lacks defensive bite. Missi would cover a lot of ground - literally and figuratively - for a team that needs more presence in the paint.
But here’s the sticking point: New Orleans reportedly wants draft compensation in return. And that’s where things get tricky for Bulls Executive VP Artūras Karnišovas, who has shown hesitancy when it comes to parting with future picks.
It’s understandable - draft capital is the lifeblood of a rebuild. But sometimes, to get a long-term asset like Missi, you have to give something up.
Unless… you’re willing to take something else on.
Enter Jordan Poole.
Poole’s had a rough go this season. Once viewed as a dynamic scorer with microwave potential, his efficiency has cratered.
He’s putting up 15.0 points per game - his lowest average since Year 2 - and shooting just 38% from the field. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player on a sizable contract, and New Orleans reportedly wants off that deal.
But for a team like Chicago, that might not be a deal-breaker.
The Bulls are in a rare position: they’re projected to have more cap space than almost anyone this summer. We just saw the Wizards absorb Trae Young’s contract thanks to their financial flexibility, and Chicago could do something similar here. If they’re willing to take on Poole’s contract, they might be able to reduce the draft compensation needed to land Missi.
That’s the kind of creative, forward-thinking move that smart front offices make during transitional phases. Use your cap space not just to chase free agents, but to acquire assets - even if it means taking on a contract that’s less than ideal. The upside here is real: Missi could be a long-term solution at center, and Poole, despite his struggles, still has scoring upside if he can rediscover his rhythm in a new environment.
The question now is whether Karnišovas and the Bulls’ front office are ready to make that kind of calculated gamble. It’s not just about the players involved - it’s about the philosophy.
Are the Bulls ready to leverage their cap space as a weapon in roster building? Are they willing to bet on youth, athleticism, and long-term potential over short-term caution?
Missi is the kind of player who could anchor a defense and grow into a core piece. If the price to get him is swallowing a bloated contract and sacrificing a little flexibility, it might just be worth it.
This is the type of move that could signal a shift in Chicago’s rebuild - if they’re bold enough to pull the trigger.