With seven players' contracts expiring this offseason, the Chicago Bulls are expected to be among the league's most active sellers before the February 5 trade deadline.

According to Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus, Chicago is positioning itself to compete for a legitimate playoff spot and escape the Play-In Tournament narrative that has defined recent seasons. With that level of urgency — something Bulls Nation has seldom heard — significant roster moves appear imminent.

Amid the shifting tone from Chicago's front office, Bleacher Report proposed a complex four-team trade concept involving the Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans.

Bulls receive: Bennedict Mathurin (Pacers), Yves Missi (Pelicans), Kevon Looney (Pelicans)

Pacers receive: Daniel Gafford (Mavericks), Jevon Carter (Bulls), $9.2 million trade exception

Pelicans receive: Jarace Walker (Pacers), Dante Exum (Mavericks), multiple trade exceptions, 2026 protected first-round pick (Bulls)

Mavericks receive: Dalen Terry (Bulls), trade exceptions, 2026 protected first-round pick (via Portland)

The Bulls would address multiple needs without shaking their foundation. Mathurin, averaging career-highs of 17.7 points and 5.4 rebounds for Indiana this season, represents exactly the type of young, athletic wing who could complement Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis in Chicago's emerging core. His scoring punch would inject fresh energy into the Bulls' cardiac trait.

Meanwhile, Missi provides what the Bulls desperately lack: size, strength and rim protection in the interior. The Pelican's sophomore center has shown defensive potential that could address Chicago's glaring weakness protecting the paint — an area that's plagued them all season despite Nikola Vucevic's steady offensive contributions.

Looney, while a veteran role player, adds championship experience and smart, versatile frontcourt depth.

Notably, the proposal doesn't include Chicago's other high-value expiring contracts: Kevin Huerter, Zach Collins, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu or Vucevic himself. This suggests the Bulls might plan additional deals before the deadline or reevaluate those players during the offseason. Rising performers like Dosunmu, who's enjoying a breakout season, could command significant interest, or potentially earn contract extensions from the Bulls' front office.

Perhaps what's most telling from the proposal is that the Bulls execute this trade by moving role players (Terry, Carter), releasing trade exceptions and sacrificing future draft capital — not by dismantling their current roster. This doesn't resemble a franchise committing to a full rebuild. Instead, it signals the Bulls' intention to build around what they already have while injecting youth and athleticism into positions of need.

Whether this broad-and-wild proposal remains on the table from casual talks, but it illustrates Chicago's desire to compete now while getting younger and more dynamic. For a franchise stuck in a mediocrity loop, that approach seems more meaningful.