The Chicago Bulls are stepping into the post-All-Star break with more than just a few lineup questions - they’re staring down a franchise-defining stretch. With Josh Giddey and Tre Jones nearing their return from injury, the Bulls’ front office is about to show its hand.
Are they playing to win? Or playing the long game?
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about two players getting healthy. It’s about what their return signals for a team that just hit the reset button in dramatic fashion.
A New Era - or a Temporary Detour?
Executive VP of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas didn’t tiptoe around the trade deadline. He detonated the roster.
Gone are key contributors like Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Nikola Vučević. In their place?
A war chest of nine second-round picks and a backcourt logjam featuring Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Rob Dillingham, and Jaden Ivey.
Now Giddey and Jones - two of the team’s most productive players this season - are set to rejoin the mix. And that makes things complicated.
Giddey, who’s started 31 of the 34 games he’s played this year, leads the team in scoring average (18.6), minutes per game (32.1), and total assists (299). He’s also racked up seven triple-doubles - a stat that speaks volumes about his all-around impact. Jones, meanwhile, has quietly been one of the most efficient playmakers in the league: second on the team in assists (222), first in steals (50), shooting 55% from the field, and boasting a better than 4-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
These aren’t just rotational guys. These are players who help you win now.
So the question becomes: **Will the Bulls let them? **
The Return Watch: What to Look For
Both Giddey and Jones were ramping up before the break, participating in full-speed practices and three-on-three work. Head coach Billy Donovan will likely be cautious, but it’s hard to keep players this impactful on the sidelines for long - especially if the goal is to stay competitive.
The Bulls’ first game back is Feb. 19 against the Raptors. If Giddey and Jones are in uniform and logging serious minutes, that’s a pretty strong indication the team still wants to rack up wins - regardless of where that leaves them in the draft lottery.
But if their return is delayed, or their minutes are significantly restricted? That’s a different message altogether. That would suggest the Bulls are leaning into a youth movement, prioritizing development - and yes, potentially higher draft odds - over short-term results.
A Crowded Backcourt and a Cloudy Road Ahead
Even before Giddey and Jones re-enter the mix, the Bulls’ guard rotation is loaded with questions. Simons, Sexton, Ivey, and Dillingham all need minutes - and all represent varying degrees of long-term investment. Adding two win-now veterans to that group could muddy the waters.
So what’s the move? Do you lean into the rebuild and let the young guys run? Or do you try to thread the needle - playing Giddey and Jones while still evaluating the rest?
That’s the tightrope Karnišovas and Donovan are walking right now. And how they navigate it will tell us everything we need to know about the Bulls’ direction heading into a pivotal summer.
What Bulls Fans Should Be Watching
This isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about identity.
Are the Bulls trying to build something sustainable with a young core? Or are they hedging, hoping to stay competitive while figuring out the future on the fly?
Keep an eye on the rotation. Watch the minutes.
See how Giddey and Jones are used - or not used. Because that’s going to tell you more about the Bulls’ priorities than any press conference or postgame quote ever could.
Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: the next few weeks are going to reveal a lot about where this franchise is headed - and who’s coming along for the ride.