Bulls Blow It Up at the Deadline: Seven Trades, a New-Look Roster, and Plenty of Questions Ahead
The Chicago Bulls didn’t just shake things up at the trade deadline-they tore the whole thing down and rebuilt it on the fly. Seven trades.
Nine second-round picks. A full-on roster overhaul that has Bulls fans scrambling to learn names and jersey numbers.
What’s left is a team that looks almost nothing like it did just a few days ago-and a coaching staff now tasked with turning chaos into chemistry.
Who’s In, Who’s Out
Let’s start with the turnover. Coming into Chicago are Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Guerschon Yabusele, Jaden Ivey, Leonard Miller, Nick Richards, and Rob Dillingham.
That’s a mix of young talent, scoring upside, and developmental projects. Oh, and nine second-round picks to boot.
On the way out: Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, Dalen Terry, Emanuel Miller, Julian Phillips, Kevin Huerter, and Nikola Vucevic. Also gone are Jevon Carter (waived), and Dario Saric, Mike Conley Jr., and Ousmane Dieng, who were rerouted elsewhere in the trade shuffle.
That’s a massive amount of movement in a short span, and now head coach Billy Donovan is left to make sense of it all. He didn’t make the trades, but he’s the one who has to turn this into a functioning basketball team.
The Challenge Ahead: Fit, Flexibility, and Finding Roles
In today’s NBA, positional fluidity is the name of the game-but that doesn’t make lineup construction any easier. The Bulls’ new depth chart is loaded with guards, short on traditional wings, and features a few big men with overlapping skill sets. It’s not exactly plug-and-play.
Let’s break down where things stand, at least for now.
Projected Bulls Depth Chart (Post-Deadline)
Point Guard: Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Rob Dillingham
Shooting Guard: Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, Collin Sexton
Small Forward: Isaac Okoro, Patrick Williams
Power Forward: Matas Buzelis, Guerschon Yabusele, Leonard Miller
Center: Jalen Smith, Zach Collins, Nick Richards
Injured Reserve: Noa Essengue
Backcourt: Deep, Talented, and Crowded
Josh Giddey remains the lead ball-handler, but both he and Tre Jones are dealing with injuries. That opens the door for a group of combo guards-Simons, Sexton, Ivey, and Dillingham-to step in and run the show.
Simons brings the most scoring punch and experience, while Sexton is known for his relentless energy and downhill attack. Ivey, still developing, has the tools to be a two-way contributor, and Dillingham-despite being third on the depth chart-isn’t just here to ride the bench.
Chicago didn’t acquire the former No. 8 pick to keep him in warmups.
Minutes will be hard to come by, and roles will likely shift nightly depending on matchups and injuries. Expect Donovan to experiment early and often.
Wing Rotation: A Puzzle Still Missing Pieces
This is where things get murky. Isaac Okoro slots in as the starting small forward for now, with Patrick Williams backing him up. But both Buzelis and Williams have spent significant time at the four, and Buzelis in particular could be a candidate to slide down to the three if the Bulls want more size on the wing.
Okoro brings defensive toughness and versatility, but his offensive game remains limited. Williams is more well-rounded but has struggled to consistently assert himself. This is where the Bulls’ lack of a true, prototypical wing could start to show-especially when facing teams with elite perimeter scorers.
Frontcourt: Versatility with a Side of Uncertainty
Matas Buzelis holds the starting power forward spot for now, and the Bulls will want to get a long look at the rookie’s development. Behind him are Guerschon Yabusele-who brings size and physicality-and Leonard Miller, a 6-foot-10 athlete with intriguing upside.
At center, Jalen Smith gets the nod, though he’s shown the ability to slide to the four if needed. Zach Collins is currently injured, and it’s unclear when he’ll return.
If healthy, he could easily start alongside Smith in a traditional two-big lineup. Nick Richards, acquired in the trade flurry, adds depth and rim protection off the bench.
Injuries and Lineup Flexibility Will Drive the Rotation
With Giddey, Jones, and Collins all banged up, the Bulls’ rotation is already in flux. Add in the need to evaluate young talent and build chemistry among players who just met, and it’s clear this team is entering a transitional phase.
Donovan will have to juggle development, competitiveness, and lineup experimentation over the final stretch of the season. Expect to see unconventional lineups, position shifts, and plenty of trial-and-error as the Bulls try to find combinations that click.
The Bottom Line
This wasn’t a tweak-it was a teardown. The Bulls are betting big on youth, flexibility, and future draft capital.
Whether it pays off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: this is a different team than the one that tipped off the season. And for better or worse, the second half of the year will be all about figuring out what they've got-and who fits into the long-term plan.
For Bulls fans, buckle up. The ride’s just getting started.