The Chicago Bulls finally made a move that fans have been waiting on - they traded veteran center Nikola Vucevic. But in classic Bulls fashion, they didn’t go chasing first-round picks. Instead, they doubled down on a strategy that’s quietly becoming more common across the league: using cap space not to sign free agents, but to trade for players before they hit the open market.
Let’s break it down.
Vucevic to Boston, Bulls Add Young Guards
Vucevic is headed to Boston, where he’ll join a Celtics team that’s clearly loading up for a deep playoff run. In return, the Bulls landed Anfernee Simons, a scoring guard who’s been coming off the bench for the Celtics and averaging 14.2 points on 39.5% shooting from deep. Simons is set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, but Chicago now gets a front-row seat to evaluate him - and potentially extend him before anyone else gets a shot.
But that wasn’t the only move. In a separate three-team deal with the Pistons and Timberwolves, the Bulls sent out Kevin Huerter and brought in fourth-year guard Jaden Ivey and veteran point guard Mike Conley.
Ivey, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 draft, is still working his way back from a broken leg that ended his previous season, but the upside is there. He’s a restricted free agent this summer, meaning the Bulls can match any offer he receives.
Conley, meanwhile, brings 19 years of NBA experience and could serve as a steadying presence in a suddenly crowded backcourt.
The Bulls’ “Pre-Agency” Playbook
What the Bulls are doing here isn’t just about acquiring talent - it’s about timing. With free agency becoming tougher to navigate thanks to new CBA rules and luxury tax penalties, fewer stars are actually hitting the open market. That’s made “pre-agency” - trading for players just before their contracts expire - a much more viable team-building strategy.
We’ve seen other teams pull this off recently. The Raptors traded for Brandon Ingram and extended him.
The Warriors did the same with Jimmy Butler. And the Bulls themselves used this tactic when they sent Alex Caruso to the Thunder for Josh Giddey, then signed Giddey in restricted free agency.
Now they’re running it back with Simons and Ivey. Both are in their mid-20s, both have something to prove, and both fit the Bulls’ apparent preference for cost-controlled players with upside - not just future draft picks.
Cap Space as a Trade Tool, Not a Free Agent Magnet
The Bulls are sitting on a mountain of cap space heading into the summer, but instead of holding out hope for a big-name free agent, they’re using that flexibility to bring in players now. It’s a shift in approach - and honestly, a smart one.
The days of luring a superstar in July are fading. Teams are locking up their stars early, and the ones who do move often go via trade, not free agency.
By bringing in players like Ivey and Simons before their contracts expire, the Bulls get a trial run. They can see how these pieces fit, how they mesh with the current roster, and then decide who’s worth keeping - all while holding the leverage that comes with restricted rights or early negotiating windows.
What’s Next in Chicago?
Of course, this isn’t a finished product. The Bulls now have a logjam in the backcourt.
Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are both set to hit free agency, and with Ivey, Simons, and Conley now in the mix, something’s got to give. The Bulls have carried five point guards at times this season, but that’s not sustainable if they’re serious about building a balanced roster.
The next logical step? Flipping one of those guards for help in the frontcourt. With Vucevic gone, there’s a clear need for another big - someone who can anchor the paint and give this team some defensive bite.
A Shift in Philosophy
What’s notable in all of this is what the Bulls didn’t do: chase first-round picks or swing for the fences in free agency. Instead, they’re targeting players who are young, talented, and available - and doing it in a way that gives them control over the next step.
It’s a different kind of rebuild - or maybe more of a retool - but it’s one that finally seems to come with a plan. For a franchise that’s spent too much time stuck in the middle, just trying to sneak into the play-in tournament, this feels like a step toward something more sustainable.
Time will tell if it works. But at least now, the Bulls are playing the modern NBA game - and playing it with purpose.