The Chicago Bulls are approaching yet another trade deadline, and the familiar sense of indecision is hanging over the franchise like a cloud. With the February 5 deadline looming, the Bulls' front office appears poised to stand pat once again - a move that would echo the same frustrating pattern we've seen in recent years.
At the center of it all is executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas, who has valuable trade chips at his disposal - but little indication he’s ready to use them. Nikola Vucevic, Zach Collins, and Kevin Huerter are all on expiring deals in the $18 to $20 million range.
That kind of salary flexibility is gold in the NBA trade market, especially for teams looking to make a playoff push without compromising future cap space. Add in a full cupboard of first-round picks, including an extra one from the Portland Trail Blazers, and Chicago has the tools to reshape its roster or kickstart a long-overdue rebuild.
Instead, the Bulls seem stuck in neutral.
Coby White is the name generating the most buzz around the league, and for good reason. Despite a rocky start to the season and some lingering calf issues, White remains a dynamic offensive weapon.
He’s a legitimate three-level scorer who has averaged 4.8 assists over the past three seasons. Defense isn’t his strong suit, but effort has never been in question - and in the right system, his offensive versatility could outweigh those concerns.
Teams are watching closely. The Minnesota Timberwolves could use a scoring guard to complement Anthony Edwards.
The Detroit Pistons need another offensive option in their backcourt. The Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Orlando Magic, and Atlanta Hawks have all been linked to White in some form.
There’s a market, and it’s active.
Then there’s Ayo Dosunmu, another guard who could draw real interest. He doesn’t have White’s shot creation chops, but he’s a better defender, more explosive getting downhill, and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to make an impact. For playoff-bound teams like the Knicks or Timberwolves looking for a low-usage, two-way guard who can slot into different lineups, Dosunmu checks a lot of boxes.
Both White and Dosunmu are set to hit free agency this summer, which complicates things a bit. Any team trading for them would either be renting them for a few months or committing to re-signing them - and that uncertainty can dampen trade value.
Still, these are two young guards with real upside. There’s value to be had, even if it’s not a blockbuster return.
The concern, though, is that the Bulls have been down this road before - and missed the exit. Vucevic was a trade candidate as far back as last season.
Chicago reportedly could’ve landed multiple second-round picks for him, but Karnišovas held out for a first-rounder that never materialized. Now, Vucevic is expected to finish out his contract and hit free agency, leaving the Bulls with nothing to show for a player they once gave up significant assets to acquire.
It’s a pattern. The Bulls didn’t move Zach LaVine when his value was higher.
They hung onto DeMar DeRozan past his peak trade window. And now, with White and Dosunmu potentially walking out the door this summer, the front office is flirting with the same outcome.
If either guard isn’t part of the long-term plan - and at this point, that’s a fair question - then the smart move is to act now. Get something.
Build for the future. But so far, the Bulls' approach has been one of hesitation, not decisiveness.
For a franchise stuck in the middle - not quite rebuilding, not quite contending - inaction is its own kind of decision. And it’s one that Bulls fans have seen too many times before.