The Chicago Bulls are open for business - and this time, it feels real.
With the NBA trade deadline just days away, executive VP of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas has made it clear: outside of Josh Giddey and rookie Matas Buzelis, everyone else on the roster is on the table. That includes key rotation players like Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Tre Jones. In other words, buckle up, Bulls fans - the next few days could get interesting.
This is a noticeable shift from how Karnišovas has handled past deadlines. He was slow to move on from DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, and now Nikola Vucevic finds himself in a similar situation - a player whose value may be declining while the front office hesitates. But signs are pointing to a more proactive approach this time around, and that could be exactly what the Bulls need.
Who's staying, who's potentially going
Let’s start with the untouchables. Josh Giddey, fresh off a four-year, $100 million extension, is firmly in the team’s long-term plans.
He’s viewed as a foundational piece - a versatile guard with size, playmaking instincts, and room to grow. Matas Buzelis, the hometown rookie with star upside, is the other name off-limits.
Unless a true superstar becomes available - think Giannis-level blockbuster - Buzelis isn’t going anywhere.
Beyond that? The Bulls are listening.
Coby White is drawing plenty of interest around the league, with the Minnesota Timberwolves emerging as a team to watch. His scoring punch and improved decision-making make him an appealing fit next to a star like Anthony Edwards.
Ayo Dosunmu and Tre Jones are also viewed as plug-and-play options for teams looking to shore up their backcourt depth. Both bring defensive intensity and a high basketball IQ - traits that contenders value in the postseason grind.
The Bulls have reportedly tried to shop Vucevic, with the Boston Celtics among the teams contacted. But so far, no traction. Vucevic’s contract and declining mobility make him a tough sell, even for teams in need of frontcourt depth.
Names like Zach Collins, Kevin Huerter, and Jalen Smith have been floated as possible trade targets - all of them solid contributors with varying contract situations. Smith, in particular, is having a breakout year and could be an intriguing piece for a team looking to add young talent with upside.
What the Bulls are looking for
This isn’t about a fire sale. Karnišovas appears to be targeting value, not just making moves for the sake of movement.
There’s a focus on acquiring young, controllable talent - players who can grow alongside Giddey and Buzelis. New Orleans center Yves Missi, for example, has been mentioned as a possible target.
He fits the mold: young, athletic, and developing.
Dosunmu is an interesting case. He’s played well enough this season to make a case for long-term consideration in Chicago. But if the right offer comes along - particularly one that nets a younger piece or future assets - the Bulls won’t hesitate.
A new direction - finally
Even if nothing major happens before the Feb. 5 deadline, the mere fact that Chicago is this active in trade conversations signals a shift in philosophy. For too long, the Bulls have been stuck in the middle - not quite rebuilding, not quite contending. But this version of the front office seems more willing to pivot, to embrace change, and to build around a younger core with real upside.
With Giddey and Buzelis as the cornerstones, the Bulls are finally showing signs of committing to a new identity. And whether that means moving Coby White, dealing Dosunmu, or flipping veterans for draft capital, the message is clear: the Bulls are open for business - and this time, they mean it.