The NBA trade deadline always brings a flurry of movement, and this year, a couple of familiar names for Kentucky fans are packing their bags-and heading to the same destination.
Nick Richards and Rob Dillingham, two former Wildcats, are now teammates in Chicago after a multi-team deal that shuffled players between the Bulls, Bucks, and Suns. It’s a reunion of sorts, though they never shared the court in Lexington. Still, it’s a significant shake-up for both players, each at very different stages in their NBA journeys.
Let’s start with Richards. The big man out of Jamaica had a breakout junior year at Kentucky in 2019-20, averaging 14.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game before the season was abruptly cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
That year, he finally put it all together-rim protection, rebounding, and a reliable mid-range jumper. It was enough to convince NBA scouts he was ready, and he declared for the draft, ultimately going 42nd overall to Charlotte in 2020.
Richards carved out a role with the Hornets over the next few years, gradually developing into a solid rotational center. After his time in Charlotte, he landed in Phoenix, where he spent parts of the last two seasons alongside Devin Booker and the Suns.
His stop in Milwaukee was brief-more of a layover than a destination-as the Bucks brought him in before flipping him to the Bulls in a three-team deal. Now in Chicago, Richards brings size, rim protection, and a bit of veteran presence to a Bulls frontcourt that’s been searching for consistency.
Then there’s Rob Dillingham, a name still fresh in the minds of Kentucky fans. The electric guard was the SEC Sixth Man of the Year in 2024, averaging 15.2 points per game and shooting a blistering 44.4% from deep.
His ability to create off the dribble and score in bunches made him one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country. After being drafted by the San Antonio Spurs, Dillingham was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night-a move that landed him on a team with serious playoff aspirations.
His rookie year in Minnesota saw limited minutes, but he still managed to contribute 4.5 points per game on a team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2025. Now, he heads to Chicago, where the opportunity for a bigger role could be on the horizon.
Dillingham’s upside is clear-he’s got the speed, the handle, and the shooting stroke to make an impact. The question now is how quickly he can adjust to a new system and carve out a spot in the Bulls’ rotation.
For Chicago, this isn’t just about adding two former Wildcats-it’s about injecting youth, athleticism, and potential into a roster that’s been in flux. Richards gives them a reliable presence in the paint, while Dillingham could become a spark plug off the bench or even develop into a long-term backcourt piece.
And for Kentucky fans? It’s a chance to see two of their own share the floor once again-this time, under the bright lights of the United Center.