The Chicago Bulls are leaning all the way into their identity as the NBA’s top “second-draft” destination - a place where young talent gets a fresh start after things didn’t quite click the first time around. Their latest move? Swinging a deal to bring in Jaden Ivey, a high-upside guard who needed a new situation to unlock his full potential.
Ivey arrives in Chicago via a trade that sent Kevin Huerter and a 2026 pick swap the other way. It’s a move that echoes last season’s acquisition of Josh Giddey - another young guard who had shown flashes but needed a different environment to grow. Like Giddey, Ivey is approaching restricted free agency this summer, and while his path has been a bit rockier - a broken leg kept him off the floor for much of last season - the talent is still very much there.
Now, let’s be clear: Ivey isn’t walking into a lead-guard role. The Bulls’ backcourt is crowded, and head coach Billy Donovan isn’t handing over the keys just yet.
But that doesn’t mean Ivey can’t carve out a meaningful role. Since the start of last season, he’s quietly been one of the better three-point shooters among young guards - a skill that could pair nicely with the playmaking of Giddey in the long run.
If Ivey can stay healthy and keep shooting it at a high clip, there’s a real path for him to become a key piece in Chicago’s evolving backcourt.
And speaking of that backcourt - it’s getting younger, faster, and more dynamic by the day.
Enter Rob Dillingham. The second-year guard has caught Donovan’s eye with his elite speed and ability to break down defenses off the dribble.
But while the burst is there, the decision-making is still a work in progress. Donovan didn’t mince words when asked about Dillingham’s shot selection and playmaking.
“The decision-making, the shots that he’s taking, are not sustainable. And I told him that,” Donovan said. “We need him downhill, but he also can’t be jumping off two feet, getting caught in the air, shooting over guys, trying to throw passes that aren’t there.”
It’s a classic young-guard dilemma: balancing aggression with control. Donovan isn’t trying to rein Dillingham in - far from it.
He wants him to stay aggressive, but with a better understanding of when to attack and when to facilitate. It’s a learning curve, but the Bulls believe he’ll get there.
Another intriguing addition is Mac McClung, who signed a two-way deal with the team. The three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion is still chasing his NBA dream, and his path hasn’t been easy. McClung turned down big-money offers overseas to keep grinding in the G League, holding out hope for a real shot in the league.
“This is where my heart’s at,” McClung said. “You can’t keep telling me no forever.”
That kind of hunger fits the Bulls’ current vibe to a tee.
This team isn’t built for the long haul - at least not yet. The roster is a patchwork of young players, reclamation projects, and guys with something to prove.
Seven new faces, six of them logging heavy minutes, and a whole lot of learning on the fly. That’s not lost on veteran guard Anfernee Simons.
“This is not a normal situation,” Simons said. “Seven new guys, six of them are playing heavy minutes and we have to just learn on the fly like that.
It’s just gonna take tons of communication. Experience.
Just going through it together with mistakes and everything.”
Simons brings scoring punch. Collin Sexton brings his signature fire and relentless energy.
Ivey is on a mission to bounce back. Dillingham is learning how to harness his speed.
And McClung is still chasing that elusive breakthrough. This group may not win a ton of games, but don’t expect them to go quietly.
There’s too much pride, too much talent, and too many players fighting for their NBA futures.
The Bulls are rebuilding, yes - but they’re doing it with guys who have something to prove. And that makes them one of the most intriguing teams to watch down the stretch.