The Bulls acquired Buddy Hield and cash from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Rob Dillingham on Saturday.
Chicago Bulls lead executive Bryson Graham has had an intriguing approach to roster building during his first offseason, combining young talent like Caleb Wilson, Dailyn Swain, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey with veterans like Norman Powell and Nic Claxton.
Graham brought in another veteran on Saturday, acquiring 33-year-old sharpshooter Buddy Hield and cash for Rob Dillingham. Hield is coming off his worst year as a pro, but he has spent most of the last decade as a reliable three-point threat and projects to shore up a much-needed hole in Chicago's lineup.
The veterans on Chicago's roster serve a purpose in helping the team's young players develop, but they could also potentially net future draft capital in a midseason trade to a playoff contender. Powell is effectively on a 1-and-1 contract with a team option after this season, which could be enticing to a team looking to acquire him and result in the Bulls receiving a better trade package.
It now seems that Hield could be on a similar path. According to NBA Insider Jake Fischer, it's likely that the Bulls will look to trade Hield at some point during the remainder of his contract.
Jan 2, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) during the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images "The Bulls were looking at signing Jonathan Kuminga and Bennedict Mathurin for the same purpose," Fischer said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). "Have to imagine Chicago hopes Norm Powell can play his way into trade value, too. Such is rebuild life."
Kuminga (Timberwolves) and Mathurin (Pelicans) both ended up signing two-year contracts with their new respective teams, each with a player option after the first season. Hield has $9.7 million guaranteed this season and a $10.1 million player option for 2027-28.
The Bulls have several players on similarly-structured contracts that they could look to flip at the deadline. Center Zach Collins signed a 1-and-1 deal this summer for $8.5 million annually with a team option for 2027-28, while guard Tre Jones is also on a team-friendly contract that'll pay him $8 million over the next two seasons. Jones' contract has a team option that can be exercised next summer as well.
Each of Powell, Collins and Jones would be under team control for the next two seasons for whichever franchise acquires them. Chicago also has a pair of veteran expiring contracts that it could look to move in 25-year-old wing Isaac Okoro and 26-year-old forward Jalen Smith. Both players are set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2027.
The Chicago Bulls begin training camp on Tuesday, Sep. 29, and must have their regular season rosters finalized by Oct. 19. Chicago is set to open its regular season schedule on the road against the Toronto Raptors on Oct. 21.
