Bulls in the Mix: How a Bold Three-Team Trade Could Land Pascal Siakam in Chicago
The Chicago Bulls have spent the better part of the last few seasons hovering in the NBA’s middle tier - not quite tanking, not quite contending. But a new trade proposal making the rounds suggests a path that could jolt the franchise out of its holding pattern.
And no, this isn’t about Giannis Antetokounmpo landing in Chicago - that’s a pipe dream. But the Bulls could still come away with a major prize in a hypothetical three-team blockbuster: Pascal Siakam.
Let’s break it down.
The Proposed Deal
This three-team trade scenario involves the Bulls, Bucks, and Pacers, and centers around the idea of Giannis heading to Indiana. The Bulls wouldn’t get the Greek Freak, but they’d walk away with a proven All-Star in Siakam - plus some intriguing depth.
Here’s how the trade shakes out for each team:
- Bulls receive: Pascal Siakam, Kyle Kuzma, T.J. McConnell
- Bulls send out: Nikola Vucevic, John Collins, Kevin Huerter, Isaac Okoro, two first-round picks
- Bucks receive: Five first-round picks, Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Isaac Okoro, John Collins, Kevin Huerter
- Pacers receive: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Vucevic
Now, let’s zoom in on what this means for Chicago.
Why This Deal Makes Sense for the Bulls
First things first: Pascal Siakam is no consolation prize. He’s a three-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, and an NBA champion.
He’s also fresh off helping Indiana to the doorstep of the Finals, and at 31, he’s still playing high-level basketball. This season, he’s averaging 23.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists while starting 25 of 26 games for the Pacers.
That’s not just solid production - that’s second-option-on-a-contender kind of stuff.
For the Bulls, this is a rare opportunity to land a high-impact player without sacrificing their core or future flexibility. Yes, they’re giving up two first-round picks, but the rest of the outgoing package - Vucevic, Collins, Huerter, Okoro - is made up of players who are either on expiring deals or not central to Chicago’s long-term plans. Three of those four could be gone this summer anyway.
In return, Siakam gives the Bulls a versatile forward who can score, defend, and play on or off the ball. Plug him into a rotation with Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis, and suddenly you’ve got a team with balance, upside, and a legitimate two-way identity. Siakam’s ability to operate as a secondary creator would ease the burden on Giddey, while his presence on the wing alongside Buzelis could finally give Chicago the defensive switchability it’s been lacking.
And don’t overlook Ayo Dosunmu in this equation. Pairing him with Siakam on the defensive end gives the Bulls a real backbone at the point of attack - something they’ve sorely missed.
What About the Other Pieces?
Kyle Kuzma and T.J. McConnell might not be the headliners, but they’re far from throw-ins.
Kuzma brings scoring punch and positional versatility. He’s capable of starting or coming off the bench, and he’s proven he can put up numbers in both roles. In Chicago, he could slide into a sixth-man role or provide insurance if the team decides to move on from other wings down the line.
McConnell, meanwhile, is one of the league’s savviest backup point guards. He won’t light up the scoreboard, but his steady hand, defensive grit, and locker-room leadership are the kind of intangibles that help young teams grow.
The Bigger Picture
Let’s be real: Artūras Karnišovas hasn’t exactly been aggressive at the trade deadline. The Bulls’ front office has mostly opted for patience, even as the team has drifted into NBA purgatory. But this kind of move - sneaking into a Giannis blockbuster and grabbing a star like Siakam on the side - would be a savvy pivot.
It’s the kind of deal that doesn’t mortgage the future, doesn’t gut the roster, and actually makes the team better now and in the near term. That’s a rare combination.
And while it’s unlikely Karnišovas pulls the trigger - history tells us not to hold our breath - the logic is there. This is a smart, calculated swing that could finally give Chicago a clear direction.
Final Word: Bulls Trade Grade - A-
Anytime you can add a player of Siakam’s caliber without giving up your top prospects or overcommitting draft capital, it’s a win. Add in the complementary fits of Kuzma and McConnell, and this deal checks a lot of boxes for Chicago.
It’s bold. It’s balanced. And it’s exactly the kind of shake-up the Bulls need.