Bulls Week in Review: Trade Buzz Swirls as Inconsistency Continues on the Court
It’s been another rollercoaster week for the Chicago Bulls-a week that started with fresh trade chatter and ended with a split decision on the court: an encouraging win over Charlotte followed by a frustrating loss to New Orleans. The team continues to teeter between flashes of potential and the same old issues, leaving fans wondering what direction this franchise is really headed.
Trade Rumors Heat Up: Big Names, Bigger Questions
Let’s start with the off-court noise. The Bulls have been linked to some major names-Domantas Sabonis, Zion Williamson, and Anthony Davis-and there’s even been talk of a Coby White trade to Minnesota.
On paper, it’s the kind of speculation that gets fans dreaming. Zion or AD would bring the kind of star power Chicago’s been missing since the days of Derrick Rose.
But here’s the catch: both come with serious question marks around availability. Injuries have been a theme for both players, and availability is the best ability-especially for a franchise trying to build consistency.
Sabonis is a different conversation. He’s a more durable, polished version of Nikola Vučević, and would give the Bulls a high-IQ big who can pass, rebound, and score inside.
But if the Bulls are moving White, they’ll need more than just a lateral move in the frontcourt. Naz Reid would be an intriguing get, but unless he’s part of the deal, the return might not justify the cost.
Friday vs. Hornets: Bulls Dominate the Paint in a Wild Win
Final Score: Bulls 129, Hornets 126
This was the kind of offensive performance that makes you think, *“Hey, maybe they’re figuring something out.” * The Bulls put up a season-high 80 points in the paint, and they closed with a monster 40-point fourth quarter that sealed the win.
What’s even more impressive? They did it without hitting a single three in the final frame-just two attempts, all inside work.
That’s old-school basketball in the modern era.
The key? **Billy Donovan’s double-big lineup.
** He leaned into it in the second half, and it paid off. After pulling down just two offensive rebounds in the first half, Chicago grabbed nine in the second, turning them into 16 second-chance points.
The Bulls also won the rebounding battle 44-31, thanks in large part to the physical presence of the Collins-Smith pairing.
But as good as the offense looked, the defense still left a lot to be desired. Charlotte shot 52.6% from the field and 43.2% from three, and the Bulls had no answers for Miles Bridges and rookie Kon Knueppel, who torched them for 65 combined points and went 9-of-19 from deep. That’s the kind of perimeter defense that simply doesn’t hold up in the long run.
And then there’s Nikola Vučević. He didn’t play a single minute in the fourth quarter, and that’s telling.
His offense has cooled off, but the real concern is on the defensive end-specifically, his lack of rim protection. He’s sitting at just eight blocks on the season, and that includes a three-block game against Utah.
In today’s NBA, if your center can’t protect the rim, it’s tough to keep him on the floor in crunch time.
Sunday vs. Pelicans: Offense Falls Flat in Missed Opportunity
Final Score: Pelicans 114, Bulls 104
Two days after bullying Charlotte in the paint, the Bulls came out flat against a Pelicans team that had been giving up 58 paint points per game over its last five. Chicago managed just 46, and the offense never found its rhythm. They shot 41.3% from the field, 26.5% from three, and finished with just 104 points-becoming only the third team all season to score under 105 against New Orleans.
There were few bright spots. Kevin Huerter made his return and looked solid, putting up 16 points and adding four steals in just 24 minutes.
The perimeter defense also held up reasonably well, limiting the Pelicans to 24.2% from three. But when the offense sputters like this, it’s hard to find silver linings.
The most frustrating part? The Bulls were still within striking distance in the fourth quarter-until they weren’t.
Seven turnovers in the final frame turned into 10 Pelicans points, and that was the difference. Sloppy execution down the stretch has become a recurring theme, and it’s costing this team winnable games.
Oh, and by the way-the Pelicans have just five wins this season. Two of them are against the Bulls.
Where Do the Bulls Go From Here?
This week was a microcosm of the Bulls’ season: moments of promise, undone by familiar flaws. The trade rumors suggest the front office is at least exploring big moves, but the on-court product remains inconsistent.
The double-big lineup showed potential. The offense, when humming, can be dynamic.
But the defense? Still a major liability.
And the late-game execution? Still shaky.
If the Bulls are serious about making a move-whether it’s swinging for a superstar or retooling around their young core-they’ll need to decide soon. Because right now, they’re stuck in the middle. And in the NBA, that’s the worst place to be.