Bulls Finally Hit Reset - But at What Cost?
The Chicago Bulls have officially blown it up. After years of straddling the line between playoff hopeful and lottery-bound, the front office finally pulled the trigger on a full-scale teardown at the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
Seven trades. A flurry of movement.
And a farewell to core pieces like Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Dalen Terry. It’s the kind of overhaul fans have been calling for - but not exactly the kind they were hoping for.
The return? Nine second-round picks, a handful of expiring contracts, and a crowded backcourt that raises more questions than answers. It's not just a rebuild - it's a rebuild that came years too late, and now the Bulls are paying the price.
Years of Missed Opportunities
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just about what happened at this year’s deadline. It’s about everything that didn’t happen over the last three seasons.
Since 2023, the Bulls have gone 118-128 - a stretch defined by play-in exits and unfulfilled potential. During that time, the team had players like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, Alex Caruso, and Vucevic - all of whom were, at various points, considered valuable trade assets.
First-round pick value, in some cases. But instead of capitalizing when the market was hot, Chicago waited.
And waited. And waited.
Now? Those same players are gone, and the Bulls didn’t get a single opposing team’s first-round pick in return. Not one.
This wasn’t just a missed opportunity - it was a systematic failure to read the room. By holding onto a core that was never built to contend, the Bulls let the value of their assets decay, and now they’re left with a rebuild that starts on shaky ground.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
This is the harsh reality: the Bulls held onto a dream of contention that never materialized. And while the rest of the league evolved - loading up on picks, flipping veterans at peak value - Chicago stayed stuck in neutral.
The final tally? A decade’s worth of talent, including All-Stars and promising young players, turned into a pile of second-rounders and rental contracts. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise that once believed it was a piece or two away from relevance.
And now, with the dust settled, the front office finds itself at a crossroads. The trades are done.
The era is over. But the path forward is anything but clear.
A Roster in Flux
So what now?
Chicago’s roster is heavy on guards and light on answers. The only true center on the roster has a deal expiring this summer.
The backcourt is overloaded with players who all expect minutes, but not all of them will get them. It’s a logjam that’s going to require tough decisions - and soon.
The Bulls now hold the rights to 14 second-round picks in future drafts. That’s a lot of darts to throw at the board, but what’s the plan?
Are they stockpiling picks and cap space for a bigger move this summer? Or are they settling in for a long, gritty rebuild?
What’s clear is that Chicago is fully in the tank now - and not just metaphorically. The focus has shifted to draft positioning, player development, and figuring out who’s part of the long-term plan.
Two names stand out: Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. The Bulls are betting big on their potential, and both will be central to whatever comes next. But beyond that, the future is filled with question marks.
Evaluating the Pieces
Most of the players acquired at the deadline are on expiring deals, which means the next few months are essentially a tryout. Who fits?
Who flashes enough to earn a new contract? And who’s just passing through?
This is where the front office needs to get it right. Because while the first-round picks are gone, and the core has been dismantled, there’s still a chance to build something meaningful - if the right pieces are identified and developed.
But make no mistake: the margin for error is slim. The Bulls can’t afford another stretch of indecision or mismanagement. The next phase has to be deliberate, strategic, and forward-thinking.
The Bottom Line
The Bulls finally did what many believed they should’ve done years ago - they hit the reset button. But because they waited so long, the return was underwhelming, and the rebuild starts from a far less advantageous position than it could have.
This isn’t just a rebuild. It’s a lesson in timing, asset management, and the cost of chasing mediocrity for too long. Now, it’s up to the front office to make the most of what’s left - and to prove that this franchise still has a vision worth believing in.
The teardown is done. The future is uncertain. But at least, for the first time in years, the Bulls have finally picked a direction.