Could Anthony Davis Be the Bulls’ Missing Piece? A Potential Blockbuster Trade Is Gaining Momentum
The NBA trade deadline is still a couple of months away - February 5, to be exact - but the groundwork for major moves is already being laid. And if the tea leaves are to be believed, the Chicago Bulls may be lining up for a serious push to land Anthony Davis from the Dallas Mavericks.
Yes, that Anthony Davis - the Chicago native, future Hall-of-Famer, and one of the league’s most versatile big men when healthy. And for a Bulls team looking to take the next step in the Eastern Conference, the fit might be too perfect to ignore.
A Blueprint from Indiana
Inside the Bulls’ front office, there’s a clear vision taking shape. Multiple team sources have reportedly pointed to the Indiana Pacers as the model. The Pacers built around Tyrese Haliburton and then swung big to bring in Pascal Siakam - a move that helped catapult them from a perennial first-round exit to back-to-back trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and, eventually, the NBA Finals.
Chicago sees Josh Giddey as their Haliburton - a young, high-IQ playmaker who can be the engine of a modern offense. The Bulls struck gold when they acquired Giddey, and the early returns have been everything they hoped for.
He’s putting up 20.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 9.1 assists per game - flirting with a nightly triple-double. He’s the kind of player you build around.
Now, the Bulls are asking the same question Indiana once did: Who’s the Siakam to our Haliburton?
Enter Anthony Davis.
Why Davis Makes Sense for Chicago
Let’s start with the obvious: Davis is a Chicago native. The Bulls have shown a clear affinity for bringing hometown talent into the fold - just look at Jevon Carter, Ayo Dosunmu, and Matas Buzelis.
But this would be on a different level entirely. Davis is a game-changer on both ends of the floor, and he’d immediately become the franchise’s most accomplished big since the days of Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer.
Defensively, he checks every box the Bulls are currently missing. Outside of a couple of players, Chicago lacks elite stoppers and rim protection.
Davis, when locked in and healthy, is still one of the best defensive anchors in the game. His presence alone could elevate the Bulls from a middle-of-the-pack defense to a top-tier unit.
Offensively, the potential two-man game between Davis and Giddey is tantalizing. Giddey thrives in pick-and-roll situations and has the vision to find Davis in spots where he can do damage - whether that’s in the post, on the move, or popping out for midrange jumpers. It’s not hard to imagine the two forming one of the most dynamic duos in the East.
The Health Factor
Of course, any conversation about Davis has to include the health question. He just returned from a 14-game absence due to a left calf strain and is currently on a minutes restriction, sitting out back-to-backs. Before the injury, he came into Mavericks training camp out of shape - not exactly the ideal start to the season.
But the Mavericks still have 30 games to play before the deadline, and Davis has time to remind the league why he’s still considered one of the premier frontcourt players in the NBA. He doesn’t need to log 40 minutes a night, but he does need to show he can stay on the floor and produce at an elite level.
If he does, the trade chatter is only going to grow louder - and Chicago might be the team turning up the volume.
What’s Holding the Bulls Back?
While the Bulls are clearly intrigued, they’re not ready to go all-in just yet. According to reports, Chicago doesn’t want to sacrifice key pieces of its young core unless it’s confident it’s on the verge of true contention. That means the next few weeks will be crucial.
If the Bulls can string together wins and solidify their playoff standing, the front office may feel compelled to pull the trigger. But if they stumble and fall back in the standings, they may opt to wait - or pivot entirely.
Still, the interest is real. The blueprint is there. And Davis, for all the ups and downs of his career, remains one of the most impactful players in the league when healthy.
The Bottom Line
The Bulls want to build something sustainable - something that mirrors what Indiana has done with Haliburton and Siakam. They believe they’ve already found their Haliburton in Giddey. Now they’re looking for their Siakam.
And if Davis can stay healthy and remind everyone of the player he’s capable of being, he might just be the piece that takes Chicago from promising to powerful.
The clock is ticking. The trade deadline is 65 days away.
Keep an eye on the Bulls. They may be getting ready to make a move that reshapes the Eastern Conference.