The Chicago Bulls are looking to turn a page-and they’re eyeing the Indiana Pacers’ playbook as their guide. After years of leaning on slow, isolation-heavy sets led by DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, the Bulls made a conscious decision in the summer of 2024 to shift gears.
The goal? Play faster, move the ball more, and inject life into an offense that had grown stagnant.
That pivot started with a bold move: trading defensive stalwart Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Josh Giddey. It was a clear signal that the Bulls were ready to embrace a new identity.
Giddey, a tall, pass-first guard with elite court vision and a feel for tempo, fit the mold of the modern offensive initiator. And to Chicago’s credit, the stylistic change started to show results.
By season’s end, the Bulls had transformed from one of the league’s slowest-paced offenses into one of the most up-tempo.
Now, according to a report from ESPN’s Jamal Collier, the Bulls are doubling down on that shift-and they’re doing it with Indiana in mind. The Pacers’ surprising run to the 2025 NBA Finals clearly left an impression in Chicago’s front office. Watching Tyrese Haliburton orchestrate one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, and seeing how a midseason addition like Pascal Siakam elevated Indiana’s ceiling, gave the Bulls a blueprint they believe they can follow.
The thinking is simple: if Giddey can grow into a Haliburton-type player, then the Bulls just need to find their version of Siakam. One team source put it plainly: “They have Haliburton, who is an All-Star, and they have Siakam. If Giddey can develop into an All-Star and be what Hali was, when do we pull the trigger to get our Siakam?”
It’s a fair question-and an ambitious one.
There’s no denying that Giddey brings a lot to the table. He’s a gifted playmaker with size, feel, and a willingness to move the ball.
He’s already shown he can elevate teammates and keep the offense flowing. But comparing him to Haliburton is a tall order.
Haliburton isn’t just a high-assist guy-he’s a floor general with elite efficiency, deep shooting range, and a knack for controlling the game’s rhythm. He’s a rare blend of skill and poise, and what he did this past postseason-leading Indiana deep into June-wasn’t just a product of system or pace.
It was the work of a star who knows how to take over when it matters most.
That’s not to say Giddey can’t grow into a star in his own right. But expecting him to replicate Haliburton’s path is a risky bet.
Haliburton’s game is built on more than just passing and pace-he’s a scorer, a leader, and a clutch performer. Giddey has shown flashes, but he’s not there yet.
And then there’s the second part of the Bulls’ plan: finding their Siakam. That’s easier said than done.
Siakam brought championship experience, defensive versatility, and a go-to scoring option to Indiana. He was the perfect complement to Haliburton’s skill set.
For Chicago to land a player of that caliber, they’ll need to make a major move-and they’ll need to be sure that Giddey is ready to be the engine before they invest in the rest of the vehicle.
Still, the Bulls’ desire to emulate Indiana isn’t without merit. The NBA is, after all, a copycat league.
When a team finds success with a particular formula-especially one that doesn’t rely on a traditional superstar trio-others are bound to take notice. Chicago’s 14-6 finish to last season suggests there’s something brewing.
They’ve got a young core, a new offensive identity, and a vision for the future.
But turning that vision into wins will require more than just mimicking the Pacers. It’ll take development, smart roster construction, and a realistic understanding of who their players are-and who they can become.
Giddey is a promising piece. But if the Bulls are going to build around him the way Indiana built around Haliburton, they’ll need to be sure he’s ready for that kind of spotlight.
The Bulls are chasing a model that works. Now the question is: can they make it work for them?