The Chicago Bulls made a splash at the trade deadline, hoping to spark a playoff push. With new additions like Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, and Jaden Ivey joining forces with star guard Josh Giddey, the Bulls seemed poised for a turnaround. Yet, February has been anything but kind, as the team remains winless this month.
Despite the roster improvements on paper, the results haven't followed. The Bulls entered their Saturday clash with the Detroit Pistons on a tough seven-game losing streak, plagued by defensive breakdowns and inconsistent late-game performances.
The situation took a worrying turn with news about Jaden Ivey. Acquired on February 3, 2026, Ivey, a promising former lottery pick from Detroit, has been sidelined with left knee soreness. He'll be re-evaluated in two weeks, a setback that could seriously impact Chicago’s playoff hopes.
Ivey, at 24, was expected to bolster the Bulls' perimeter scoring and facilitate better opportunities for their core players. His absence only deepens the team's current struggles.
Sitting at 24-32, the Bulls are on the outside looking in at the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Each game Ivey misses is a missed chance to regain footing before the season's final stretch.
Additionally, the Bulls confirmed that backup big man Zach Collins will miss the rest of the season due to a right big-toe sprain. This further depletes their rotation, especially in terms of interior defense and rebounding.
In the coming weeks, expect the Bulls to rely even more heavily on their main ball-handlers and wing players, who are already shouldering significant burdens. Josh Giddey, Simons, and Sexton will likely see increased minutes, while Tre Jones and other bench players will need to step up.
For a franchise that has been hesitant to fully rebuild, the uncertainty surrounding Ivey's health adds another layer of complexity to their offseason decisions. The Bulls find themselves at a crossroads, needing to navigate these challenges carefully to keep their playoff dreams alive.