Could Anthony Davis Be the Bulls’ Big Swing? A Hometown Reunion Could Shift Chicago’s Direction
The NBA trade deadline is just around the corner, and in Chicago, the Bulls find themselves in familiar territory-hovering around .500, sitting in ninth place in the East, and facing the same fundamental question they’ve been dodging for years: push for the playoffs or pivot toward a rebuild?
Enter Anthony Davis.
The idea of Davis-yes, that Anthony Davis, the Chicago native and perennial All-Star-landing with the Bulls has been floating around for a while. Most of that buzz cooled after Davis suffered a hand injury that was initially thought to be season-ending.
A second opinion changed the outlook, though, and now he’s expected to miss about six weeks. That timeline keeps the door open for a return before the postseason-and, just maybe, a blockbuster move.
If Davis becomes available, Chicago instantly becomes one of the more intriguing potential landing spots. He’s still producing at a high level on both ends of the floor when healthy, and his two-way impact-rim protection, rebounding, scoring versatility-remains elite.
The Mavericks, who currently hold his rights, aren’t going to give him away. But with the injury concerns mounting, his trade value might be more reasonable than you’d expect for a player of his caliber.
This wouldn’t be a salary dump. It’s not that kind of situation.
But the price tag might fall somewhere in the range of a single first-round pick, a promising young player, and matching salary. That’s a digestible package for a team like Chicago, particularly if they believe Davis can help shift their trajectory.
Now, let’s be clear: the Bulls haven’t exactly been eager to part with first-round picks in recent years. But Davis isn’t your average trade target.
He’s a potential franchise-changer-especially for a team stuck in the middle. And that’s where the Bulls are right now: not bad enough to tank, not good enough to contend.
A healthy Davis could change that equation. Pairing him with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis gives Chicago a legitimate core with upside.
Suddenly, the Bulls aren’t just fighting for a Play-In spot-they’re threatening to break through it. Even if they don’t go on a deep playoff run this season, the experience would be invaluable for a young roster trying to find its identity.
But there’s another side to this coin. If the Bulls acquire Davis and choose to keep him on ice for the rest of the season, they could quietly improve their lottery odds.
That’s a rare bit of flexibility: land a superstar, lean into the draft, and walk into the offseason with Davis, a high pick, and a more attractive asset pool than they’ve had in years. That’s a rebuild with a real foundation-not just a tear-down.
The Bulls’ front office has long been hesitant to make splashy moves. But with another middling season unfolding and the East’s upper tier dealing with injuries of their own, the opportunity is there to do something bold.
And let’s be honest-Bulls fans are ready for something. Whether it’s a playoff push or a full reset, the fanbase just wants the team to pick a lane and commit to it.
Davis is the kind of move that forces a decision. If he suits up this season, the Bulls are likely a Play-In team with real playoff aspirations. If he sits, they’re a lottery team with a potential top pick and a superstar already in the building.
Either way, it’s a step forward from the status quo.
Chicago hasn’t been a serious player in the superstar trade market in recent years, but Davis-hometown hero, still in his prime, and potentially available-might be too tempting to pass up. The risk is real. So is the upside.
And with the deadline looming, the Bulls have a chance to do more than just ride out another .500 season. They can make a move that actually changes the conversation.