For the fourth straight season, the Chicago Bulls have hit the 39-game mark with a record of 18-21. Not 17-22.
Not 19-20. Eighteen and twenty-one - every single year.
It’s the kind of stat that doesn’t just raise eyebrows; it practically begs the question: what exactly is the plan here?
The Bulls have been stuck in neutral for years, and while the front office has often preached patience and internal growth, the results have been eerily consistent - and not in a good way. The final records over the last three seasons (40-42, 39-43, 39-43) paint a picture of a franchise that’s been treading water, neither rebuilding nor contending. And now, with the same start once again, fans are left wondering whether this is finally the year something gives.
Signs of a Shift in Strategy
According to a recent report, there might finally be movement on the horizon. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that Bulls Executive VP of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas is showing a new level of openness in trade talks. League sources suggest he’s been more transparent and realistic in negotiations, a notable shift from the more guarded approach we’ve seen in the past.
This is significant. For a front office that’s been criticized for clinging too tightly to its core - often past the point of practicality - any indication that Karnišovas is ready to deal could mark a turning point.
Why It Matters Now
There are two key reasons why this reported shift in approach couldn’t come at a better time.
First, the Eastern Conference is wide open beyond the top tier. Despite a rocky start, the Bulls are still within striking distance of a playoff spot - just 3.5 games out of fifth place.
With upcoming games against the Nets (twice) and the Clippers at home, a short winning streak could vault them back into the mix. But even if they manage that, the question remains: is this current roster built to do anything meaningful in the postseason?
That leads to the second, and perhaps more important, point. If the ceiling for this group is a first-round exit - maybe a win or two, best-case scenario - then why keep running it back?
There’s little logic in holding onto veterans like Nikola Vučević, who’s now 35, or players on expiring contracts like Kevin Huerter and Zach Collins, if they’re not part of the long-term vision. Letting those assets walk for nothing would only deepen the cycle of mediocrity.
A Fork in the Road
This is where Karnišovas’ reported willingness to engage in trade talks becomes pivotal. Whether the Bulls choose to retool around their younger pieces or tear it down and start fresh, making some kind of move would at least provide clarity - something this franchise has sorely lacked in recent years.
It doesn’t have to be a blockbuster. Even a single, well-considered trade before the deadline would signal that the front office is no longer content with standing still. It would show fans - and the rest of the league - that Chicago is ready to pick a lane and commit to a direction.
Because right now, the Bulls aren’t bad enough to rebuild or good enough to contend. They’re just… there. And for a franchise that once prided itself on excellence, that’s not a place anyone wants to be.
So, if Karnišovas is indeed ready to deal, it’s not just a front-office decision - it’s a potential course correction for a team that’s been stuck in the same spot for far too long.