The Bulls’ offseason may look mostly settled on the surface, but one idea is floating out there that could change the whole shape of their rebuild: a Josh Giddey-for-Paolo Banchero swap with Orlando.
That kind of move is the sort of swing Bryson Graham hasn’t taken yet. So far, the Bulls’ top front-office voice has leaned into patience and flexibility, avoiding long-term money and steering clear of taking on salary beyond two seasons. But if Chicago ever decides to break from that methodical approach, Banchero is the kind of name that would force the conversation.
Of course, this is not a simple plug-and-play trade pitch. For it to make sense, Banchero would have to be viewed through a different lens - not as the high-usage wing creator he’s been in Orlando, but as a center.
That shift matters because the shooting has been the biggest issue in his game. Four seasons into his NBA career, his true shooting percentage sits at 54.8%, which Basketball Reference pegs at a 95 adjusted true shooting percentage, with 100 as league average.
As a primary option on the wing, that’s a problem. As a center, there’s a lot more room to live with the lack of jump-shot polish.
The other half of the equation is Orlando’s willingness to move on. That would require the Magic to reach a point where they no longer see the Duke product as part of their core.
After three straight first-round exits, capped by the 2026 NBA playoffs, the pressure on that roster build is real. Banchero himself made the frustration plain after another early playoff loss: “It’s frustrating being in the same spot 3 years in a row getting the same result… Losing in the 1st round is not acceptable.
It’s not good enough and that should be the attitude”
There’s also the contract clock to think about. Banchero will be extension-eligible in the 2028 offseason, and Spotrac projects the Magic to be $14.5 million under the first apron for the 2028-29 season. If the playoff ceiling stays low, that combination could eventually open the door to a trade discussion.
From Chicago’s side, the pitch is straightforward enough. Giddey, salary filler, and a modest package of protected draft picks - maybe one or two - could give Orlando a chance to reshape around Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane, while Giddey brings transition offense to a roster that needs more of it.
And for the Bulls, the upside is obvious. Pairing Banchero with Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson would give them a frontcourt with real size, skill, and lineup flexibility. If Banchero bought into a low-post center role, Chicago could suddenly have the kind of versatile offensive foundation this rebuild has been searching for.
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But flexibility cuts both ways, and that is what makes Claxton such a fascinating piece of this puzzle. If he performs like a dependable starting center, the Bulls can talk about keeping him around longer. If the fit is merely solid and the team keeps looking ahead for bigger swings in the draft, he also becomes the kind of movable asset contenders covet. For Chicago, the next stretch is about more than just Claxtons production. It is about deciding whether he is the answer, or the bridge to the next one. [Read more 🡒]
Matas Buzelis Is Fueling A Chicago Sports Dream Bulls Fans Miss
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The appeal is not just the names involved, but the possibility that Chicago could once again be building toward a shared sports moment instead of a collection of separate ones. Buzelis is still early in his Bulls story, Williams is trying to make his own mark, and Wilson adds another layer to the mix, leaving the larger question hanging over the scene: is this just a cool snapshot, or the beginning of the next wave of Chicago sports believers? [Read more 🡒]
Bulls Rookie Guards Could Force A Bigger Rotation Debate
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Swain projects as a reserve option who can grow into a steadier role over time, while Sellers brings a different kind of intrigue as a potential scoring spark if he earns meaningful minutes. Chicago does not need either rookie to carry a heavy load right away, but the kind of early progress they show could determine whether the Bulls keep things tight or start pushing for a larger, more flexible guard rotation. [Read more 🡒]