The Chicago Bulls made waves on Tuesday, pulling off a pair of trades that could signal a significant shift in the franchise's direction - and they might not be done yet.
First came the headline move: Nikola Vucevic, the Bulls’ veteran center, is heading to Boston in exchange for Anfernee Simons. That deal alone would’ve been enough to raise eyebrows, but Chicago wasn’t finished. Earlier in the day, they were part of a three-team trade that sent Kevin Huerter to the Detroit Pistons while bringing in Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr. to the Windy City.
So what does it all mean? For starters, the Bulls’ backcourt is now overflowing with talent.
Between Simons, Conley Jr., Ivey, Ayo Dosunmu, Josh Giddey, and Coby White, Chicago suddenly has a logjam of guards - each with their own strengths, timelines, and developmental needs. That kind of depth might look good on paper, but it’s a puzzle that’s going to need solving, and fast.
Meanwhile, Vucevic’s departure leaves a glaring hole at center. The Bulls have been linked to New Orleans big man Yves Missi, and those rumblings are only getting louder.
Missi, fresh off an All-Rookie campaign, fits the mold of what Chicago seems to be targeting: young, athletic, and capable of growing with this new-look core. The Pelicans, however, aren’t letting him go easily - they’ve reportedly held firm on a first-round pick as the asking price, and so far, no team has bitten.
That price tag is significant, especially for a Bulls team that’s clearly trying to retool without tearing things down completely. But if they believe Missi is a foundational piece, it might be a price worth paying.
With the trade deadline looming on Thursday afternoon, all signs point to more moves coming. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are reportedly being floated in trade talks, and given the current roster construction, that tracks.
White has shown real growth this season, but in a crowded backcourt, the Bulls may see an opportunity to flip him for frontcourt help or future assets. Dosunmu, too, has value around the league as a two-way guard with upside.
The next 36 hours could be pivotal. The Bulls have already reshaped their roster in a major way, but how they balance this influx of guards - and whether they can land a big man like Missi - will go a long way in determining just how competitive this team can be moving forward.
One thing’s clear: Chicago isn’t standing pat. This front office is being aggressive, and with the deadline fast approaching, the Bulls’ roster might look very different by the time the dust settles.