The Chicago Bulls came out swinging to start the 2025-26 NBA season, riding a wave of momentum powered by Josh Giddey’s all-around brilliance. Through the first seven games, Giddey looked like a revelation-averaging 23.1 points, 10 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per night-as the Bulls jumped out to a 6-1 record. That early surge had fans dreaming big, and for good reason: Giddey wasn’t just producing; he was elevating the entire team.
But since that hot start, the Bulls have cooled off, slipping to a 9-8 record. The losses are starting to stack up, and the front office is now facing the same question every team with a budding star eventually confronts: What comes next?
If there’s one thing that’s become clear, it’s that the Bulls view Giddey as the guy-the kind of franchise centerpiece you build around. His blend of size, court vision, and rebounding has transformed Chicago’s offense into something far more dynamic. He’s not just filling the stat sheet; he’s reshaping the team’s identity.
Internally, the Bulls see parallels between Giddey and Tyrese Haliburton, who helped lead the Pacers to the NBA Finals last season. That Indiana run, fueled by the Haliburton-Pascal Siakam duo, has become a blueprint of sorts for Chicago.
According to an anonymous team source, the Bulls believe they have their Haliburton in Giddey. Now they’re on the hunt for their Siakam-a second star who can complement Giddey’s game and push the team into contender status.
“They have Haliburton, who is an All-Star, and they have Siakam,” the source said. “If Giddey can develop into an All-Star and be what Hali was, when do we pull the trigger to get our Siakam?”
That’s the million-dollar question in Chicago right now.
The Pacers’ Finals run last season was electric. Haliburton and Siakam clicked almost immediately, and their chemistry carried Indiana through a deep playoff push.
It was a reminder of how quickly things can come together when a team finds the right pairing. Unfortunately for the Pacers, Haliburton’s Achilles injury derailed their championship hopes.
But the formula worked-and the Bulls are taking notes.
So who could be Giddey’s co-star in Chicago?
Two names are floating around the rumor mill: Anthony Davis and Domantas Sabonis. Davis, a Chicago native, is always going to be linked to the Bulls as long as there’s even a sliver of possibility he could return home. But Sabonis is the name that’s gaining real traction.
According to Jake Fischer, there’s buzz around a potential deal involving Nikola Vucevic heading to the Kings. At 35, Vucevic is still producing-shooting over 40% from deep for the second straight season-and he’s on an expiring $21.4 million contract. That kind of value doesn’t go unnoticed around the league.
Rival executives have reportedly taken note of Chicago’s collection of expiring deals, and some are wondering if Bulls GM Arturas Karnisovas might take a swing at Sabonis. The fit makes a lot of sense.
Sabonis is one of the best passing bigs in the league, and his ability to facilitate from the post would open up the floor in ways that could supercharge Chicago’s offense. With Giddey orchestrating from the perimeter and Sabonis operating inside, the Bulls could create a two-man game that’s tough to guard and easy to build around.
There’s also that familiar intrigue surrounding Davis. The idea of him returning to his hometown to team up with Giddey is tantalizing, even if the logistics are murkier. But whether it’s Sabonis, Davis, or another star entirely, the Bulls are clearly looking to make a move.
Giddey’s emergence has fast-tracked Chicago’s timeline. He’s not just a promising young player-he’s the kind of talent that demands action. And if the Bulls want to capitalize on his rise, they’ll need to find him a running mate sooner rather than later.
The window doesn’t stay open forever. The Bulls know that. Now it’s just a matter of finding the right piece to complete the puzzle.