The Chicago Bulls are stuck. Again. It’s that weird, middle-of-the-road purgatory where you’re too good to bottom out for a top-three pick but too flawed to actually scare anyone in the Eastern Conference. With the 2026 trade deadline looming on February 5, the Chicago Bulls trade rumors are starting to feel a little more desperate than usual.
Honestly, it’s about time.
Executive VP Artūras Karnišovas has a reputation for "standing pat." Fans usually expect a quiet deadline followed by a press conference about "evaluating the group." But things feel different this year. The roster is top-heavy with expiring contracts, Josh Giddey is playing like a fringe All-Star, and the pressure to pick a direction—any direction—is becoming unavoidable.
The Coby White Dilemma: To Trade or to Pay?
Coby White is arguably the most interesting name on the market right now. He’s 25, he’s a walking bucket, and his contract is a total steal at $12.9 million. But here’s the catch: he’s in the final year of that deal.
The Bulls are reportedly asking for at least one unprotected first-round pick for him. Some teams, like the Minnesota Timberwolves and Atlanta Hawks, have been sniffing around. Minnesota needs a secondary playmaker to take the pressure off Anthony Edwards, and White fits that timeline perfectly.
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- The Problem: If Chicago doesn't trade him now, they risk losing him for nothing in unrestricted free agency this summer.
- The Rumor: Insider Brett Siegel mentioned on Bulls Central that the Bulls are "digging their feet in" on that high asking price.
- The Reality: We saw this same movie with Nikola Vučević last year. The Bulls held out for a first-rounder that never came, and they ended up stuck.
If the Bulls are serious about a "retool," cashing in on Coby while his value is at an all-time high makes a lot of sense. But losing his scoring might officially tank any hope of a Play-In spot. Are they ready for that?
Nikola Vučević and the $21.5 Million Question
Then there’s Vooch. The 35-year-old center is having a vintage month, puting up 20.6 points and 10.6 rebounds in January. He’s on an expiring contract worth $21.5 million, which makes him a prime candidate for a contender looking for a safe, veteran interior presence.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks has labeled Vučević as the Bulls' "most likely" trade candidate. With Anthony Davis sidelined in Dallas (and the Mavs reportedly looking for frontcourt help), Vooch’s name has surfaced as a potential pivot option for teams that can't land a superstar.
You know exactly what you’re getting with him: double-doubles and floor spacing, but zero rim protection. For a team like the Golden State Warriors, who need a center who can pass and shoot, he’s a tempting rental. Chicago wouldn't get a "haul" for him—maybe a couple of second-rounders or a protected first—but it’s better than letting him walk in July.
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Who Is Actually Untouchable?
It’s a short list.
- Matas Buzelis: The rookie has shown enough flashes of "unicorn" potential that the Bulls would basically need a Victor Wembanyama-level offer to even pick up the phone.
- Josh Giddey: After signing that four-year, $100 million extension, Giddey has been a triple-double machine. He’s averaging nearly 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. John Hollinger called the deal "brilliant," and he’s clearly the guy the Bulls want to build around.
Everyone else? They’re basically available for the right price.
Even Patrick Williams, who signed a $90 million extension not too long ago, is reportedly being "aggressively shopped" by the front office. The problem is that his trade value is currently in the basement. He’s playing career-low minutes (about 18 per game) and hasn't made the leap Chicago hoped for. Evan Sidery reported that there is currently "zero interest" from other teams in taking on that contract. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a former No. 4 overall pick.
Targeting Young Talent: The New Strategy
Instead of just hunting for draft picks, the Bulls seem interested in "change-of-scenery" candidates. Think of it as the Josh Giddey model. They want guys who were high draft picks elsewhere but haven't quite clicked yet.
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The latest buzz has the Bulls eyeing Yves Missi, the New Orleans Pelicans' young center. Missi is an athletic rim-runner who actually plays defense—something the Bulls desperately need. With the Pelicans potentially looking to shake things up, a deal involving some of Chicago’s expiring veterans could work for both sides.
They’ve also been linked to Jaden Ivey in Detroit. If the Bulls do end up moving Coby White, Ivey would be a high-upside replacement who fits the transition-heavy style Billy Donovan wants to play.
What Happens if They Do Nothing?
This is the nightmare scenario for fans. If the Bulls stand pat, they’ll likely finish somewhere between the 9th and 12th seed. They have eight expiring contracts on the books. If they don't trade those players by February 5, they lose all their leverage.
The front office is finally feeling the pressure. You can see it in the way Billy Donovan talks about the "urgency" of the situation. The fans are tired of the "continuity" era.
Actionable Insights for the Trade Deadline
If you're following the Chicago Bulls trade rumors over the next few weeks, here is what you should actually be watching for:
- Watch the Dallas Mavericks: With Anthony Davis out, they are desperate. If they call about Vučević, a deal could happen fast.
- Monitor Coby White’s Calf Injury: He’s been dealing with a nagging calf issue. If he misses time before the deadline, his trade value could take a hit, making a deal less likely.
- The "Seller" Signal: If the Bulls trade Ayo Dosunmu or Jevon Carter for second-round picks, it’s a sign that a full-scale fire sale is coming.
- Keep an Eye on the Pelicans: The link to Yves Missi is real. If the Bulls can snag a young, defensive-minded center, it changes their long-term outlook significantly.
The Bulls are at a crossroads. They can either lean into the Giddey/Buzelis era by surrounding them with young assets, or they can try to limp into another Play-In game. For the sake of the fans in the 300-level at United Center, let's hope they finally choose a lane.