The Chicago Bulls have already taken some solid steps toward the future, and Caleb Wilson gives them a real shot at having a face of the franchise down the road. But if they want to keep leaning into that long view, the Philadelphia 76ers could be the team to call.
A Jaylen Brown deal would put Philly in a strong position right away. Brown is the kind of player who can push a team into the top tier of the East, and pairing him with Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid and VJ Edgecombe would make the Sixers dangerous next season. The problem comes later.
By the end of the 2029-30 season, Brown, Maxey, Embiid and Edgecombe will all need new contracts. That is where things could get complicated for Philadelphia. If the Sixers are unable to keep all four, their future draft assets could become a lot more appealing.
That is exactly why Chicago should be paying attention. The Bulls are not in a position to chase immediate wins, so the smarter play is to keep looking further ahead and target teams whose outlook could change fast. Philadelphia fits that description.
The Sixers already sent a 2028 first, a 2031 first and two second-rounders to the Boston Celtics in the Brown deal, but they still have picks available. Chicago should be trying to get involved there, especially if it can land Philadelphia first-rounders beyond 2030, such as 2032 or 2033.
The logic is simple. Brown, Maxey, Edgecombe and Embiid would all be due for extensions in the 2030-31 season, and under the new CBA, it seems unlikely Philadelphia will be able to bring all four back on major deals. Embiid might not even be looking for a huge payday by then, but even so, the Sixers may not want three players on near-max contracts after 2030.
If that leaves Philly with only two of those stars, the rest of the roster could be thin around them. And if the East gets stronger by then, those picks could carry even more value.
For Chicago, the move is clear: keep hunting for future 76ers picks.
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Bulls Face A Telling Choice As Familiar Veteran Reenters The Picture
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DeMar DeRozans name naturally brings back memories of his productive run in Chicago, when he gave the team a reliable half-court scorer and steady veteran presence. But the fit question is different now, and the Bulls have been pushed toward preserving flexibility and future assets instead of leaning on another established scorer, which makes this a telling decision point for a team trying not to drift from its plan. [Read more 🡒]