The Bulls Are Sitting on a Trade Deadline Goldmine - Will They Use It?
As the NBA inches closer to the February trade deadline, the rumor mill is heating up, and big names like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Anthony Davis are once again being whispered in front office circles. While plenty of teams are dreaming about swinging for the fences, the Chicago Bulls are one of the few with the actual ammunition to make a blockbuster move - and it’s not just about cap space or a star to flip.
It’s about control. Draft control.
Let’s break it down.
The Bulls Own Their Future - Literally
In a league where draft capital is as valuable as ever, the Bulls are in a rare position of strength. They hold the rights to all of their own first-round picks from 2026 through 2032.
That’s seven full years of flexibility, untouched and ready to be packaged. And there’s potentially an eighth pick coming their way, courtesy of the Portland Trail Blazers.
That pick is lottery-protected through 2028, but given Portland’s recent push to win now, there’s a real chance it conveys sooner rather than later.
This kind of draft control is no small thing. Only a handful of teams - including the Toronto Raptors - can say the same. In a market where stars are often moved for a haul of picks and young talent, the Bulls are one of the few franchises that can actually meet those demands without gutting their future.
And that’s not by accident. Executive VP of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas, for all the criticism he’s faced, has managed to preserve this war chest of picks.
Even after sending a first-rounder to San Antonio in the DeMar DeRozan trade, he maneuvered his way back into the 2025 draft, landing Noa Essengue at No. 12.
That pick, ironically, became a key part of the three-team deal that sent Zach LaVine to Sacramento.
So while Karnišovas hasn’t been perfect, he’s kept the Bulls positioned for a move like this.
Expiring Contracts: The Hidden Asset
But it’s not just about draft capital. The Bulls are also holding a handful of contracts that could grease the wheels of a major trade.
Seven players - Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter, and Dalen Terry - are all on expiring deals. That gives the Bulls the kind of salary-matching flexibility most GMs would kill for. Add in a team option on Julian Phillips, and you’ve got even more room to maneuver.
The money matters here. Vucevic, Huerter, and Collins alone account for over $58 million in expiring salary. That’s enough to absorb a superstar-level contract like Antetokounmpo’s ($51.4 million this season, $58.4 million next), or Davis’, without having to send out a core piece or take on long-term money.
In a league where cap space is tight and luxury tax concerns are real, the ability to offer clean books in return is a massive advantage. For a team like Milwaukee or the Lakers - if they ever decide to pivot - the Bulls can offer a rare combination of financial relief and future assets.
The Big Question: Will They Pull the Trigger?
Now, just because the Bulls can make a move doesn’t mean they will. Karnišovas has shown patience - some would say too much - in the past.
He’s resisted the urge to blow things up or chase a quick fix. But the pieces are on the board now.
If he wants to make a franchise-altering move, the runway is clear.
This isn’t about chasing pipe dreams. It’s about recognizing that the Bulls have one of the most complete trade packages in the league.
Picks? Check.
Expiring contracts? Check.
A clean cap sheet and the ability to absorb a max deal? Double check.
The next few months could define the direction of this franchise for the next decade. Whether it’s a swing for a superstar or a calculated retooling, the Bulls have the tools to shape their own destiny.
Now it’s just a matter of whether they’re ready to use them.