The Bulls may not be built for a title run this season, and that reality should push them toward a different kind of goal: stacking assets for what comes next. That’s where Nicolas Claxton enters the picture. Chicago has a chance to turn him into a valuable trade piece, but only if he restores some of the value that slipped away.
Claxton arrived in Chicago this summer almost by accident, with the Brooklyn Nets effectively sending him over in the Julius Randle trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was solid last season, but he didn’t look like the disruptive defensive force he once seemed to be during his time alongside Kevin Durant and company.
If that version of Claxton shows up again, the Bulls could have a real deadline chip on their hands.
For a team trying to build its future, draft capital matters. The new lottery odds make it impossible to count on a top pick, so Chicago has to widen the net and create more chances to land talent. That means chasing extra picks whenever possible, whether that leads to moving up in the draft or simply bringing in more rookies from a strong class.
Claxton fits that plan because he checks a lot of boxes for other teams. He should step in as Chicago’s starting center next year, but he doesn’t look like a major part of the long-term core with Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis. On top of that, his contract stands out in a league where teams are increasingly cautious because of the CBA.
He’s set to make $23.1 million next season, then $20.9 million the year after that. The money goes down, which is unusual and valuable.
That kind of deal could draw plenty of interest if Claxton reclaims his form. But the Bulls need him to earn that market again first. After getting essentially dumped by the Nets, he’ll have to make his mark on defense and show he can still be a real lob threat.
If he does, the list of possible suitors could get long. The Denver Nuggets could see him as a Nikola Jokic backup.
The Boston Celtics might come calling if their center rotation proves too injury-prone. The Charlotte Hornets could be interested if they decide to lean harder into double-big looks.
For Chicago, the trade deadline picture is going to depend heavily on players proving they have value around the league. Claxton is one of the biggest names in that group.
In Other News...
Bulls May Have A Serious Answer To Their Rim Protection Problem
Chicagos frontcourt picture got a lot more interesting after the offseason deal that brought Nic Claxton to town, but the Bulls may not want to stop there if theyre serious about solving their rim-protection issues for good. Claxton gives them a younger defensive piece to build around, yet the broader search for a true anchor still points toward the kind of veteran big man who can change the shape of a defense the moment he steps on the floor.
Rudy Gobert fits that description as well as almost anyone in the league. Even as he moves into extension-eligible territory and heads toward the final year of his contract, he still brings the kind of durability and back-line presence teams covet, with a career built on elite shot-blocking and steady availability. If Chicago keeps pushing its rebuild forward, a player with that defensive rsum would naturally sit near the top of the wish list. [Read more 🡒]
Bulls May Finally Have A Cheap Frontcourt Opening To Watch
A frontcourt opening could eventually surface for Chicago if Washingtons roster math gets tight around Anthony Davis next contract milestone. Davis becomes extension-eligible in August 2026, and any new deal there could force the Wizards to make harder choices on payroll and apron flexibility, the kind of pressure that often sends teams looking for cheaper ways to keep the depth chart intact.
One name worth keeping on the radar is a young Washington big whose fit has been evaluated with Chicago in mind as the Bulls continue to scan for value up front. The Wizards also have a non-guaranteed team option on him for the 2027-28 season, with a decision due by June 29, 2027, so this is the sort of situation that could linger for a while before it turns into an actual market opportunity. [Read more 🡒]