
The Bulls made seven deals at the NBA Trade Deadline. How would we regrade them after half a season?
The Bulls flipped their roster on its head at the trade deadline, resulting in a complete 180 for the season. Despite starting the year with a 23-22 record, Chicago went 8-29 over the final 37 games and appears set to enter a much-needed rebuild.
With a sample size of roughly half the season, let's take a look back at all of the deals the Bulls made:
Saturday, Jan. 31: Draft Picks for Taking On Saric's Contract
Chicago Bulls Receive:
- F Dario Saric
- 2027 Second Round Pick (Nuggets)
- 2029 Second Round Pick (Least favorable of Pistons, Bucks & Knicks)
Sacramento Kings Receive:
- F De'Andre Hunter
Cleveland Cavaliers Receive:
- G Keon Ellis
- G Dennis Schroder
Chicago's first deal was a minor one, but it set the tone for the type of deadline the front office intended to have. The Bulls picked up two second-round draft picks in exchange for absorbing Dario Saric's contract, which they ended up moving a few days later anyway.
Grade: A
Tuesday, Feb. 3: Flipping Huerter and Saric for Jaden Ivey
Chicago Bulls Receive:
- G Jaden Ivey
- G Mike Conley Jr.
Detroit Pistons Receive:
- G Kevin Huerter
- F Dario Saric
- 2026 Protected First Round Pick Swap (Timberwolves)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive:
- Salary Cap Relief
Neither of the two players Chicago acquired in this deal is still on the roster, but I don't blame the front office for this trade. Off-court results aside, the potential upside of Jaden Ivey was 100% worth trading an expiring Kevin Huerter contract (and the recently-acquired Saric) for. The reality, though, is that the trade still ended up being a bust, as Ivey played just four games with the team.
Grade: C-
Tuesday, Feb. 3: Nikola Vucevic to Boston
Chicago Bulls Receive:
- G Anfernee Simons
- 2026 Second Round Pick (Most favorable of Timberwolves, Pelicans, Knicks & Trail Blazers)
Boston Celtics Receive:
- C Nikola Vucevic
- 2027 Second Round Pick (Nuggets)
Simons, like Ivey, did not play much in Chicago. He appeared in just six games before suffering a wrist fracture, and the 26-year-old will undoubtedly walk in free agency. The Bulls essentially got a second-round pick swap for an expiring contract, moving from the Nuggets pick (Saric trade) up to a likely Pelicans pick. Nikola Vucevic now gets to contend for a title with the Celtics.
Grade: C+
Wednesday, Feb. 4: Coby White Headed Back to His Home State
Apr 12, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Coby White (3) in action against the New York Knicks during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesChicago Bulls Receive:
- G Collin Sexton
- G Ousmane Dieng
- 2031 Second Round Pick (Knicks)
- 2031 Second Round Pick (Nuggets)
Charlotte Hornets Receive:
- G Coby White
- G Mike Conley Jr.
Coby White was excellent down the stretch of the season, shooting 46/39/84 splits and scoring efficiently off the bench in Charlotte. Chicago certainly could've gotten more in return if it had traded White earlier. The Bulls did well to get Ousmane Dieng in this trade, even though he was eventually rerouted to Milwaukee. Chicago was originally supposed to receive three picks, but lost one after White failed his physical. Sexton was solid, but will likely be gone in free agency.
Grade: C+
Wednesday, Feb. 4: Bulls Trade Former First-Rounder to NYK
Chicago Bulls Receive:
- F Guerschon Yabusele
- Cash Considerations
New York Knicks Receive:
- G Dalen Terry
Dalen Terry did not meaningfully contribute in Chicago, while Guerschon Yabusele started 19 games and recorded four double-doubles. Even if Yabusele leaves in free agency, this was a successful trade.
Grade: B+
Thursday, Feb. 5: Timberwolves Acquire Ayo Dosunmu
Apr 7, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ayo Dosunmu (13) looks on in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesChicago Bulls Receive:
- G Rob Dillingham
- F Leonard Miller
- 2026 Second Round Pick (Least favorable of Nuggets & Warriors)
- 2027 Second Round Pick (Cavaliers)
- 2031 Second Round Pick (Most favorable of Warriors & Grizzlies)
- 2032 Second Round Pick (Most favorable of Rockets & Suns)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive:
- G Ayo Dosunmu
- F Julian Phillips
The Bulls undoubtedly could've received more in a trade for Ayo Dosunmu, who is now a key bench contributor for Minnesota. However, acquiring Leonard Miller is a massive success for Chicago's talent scouting department. The 22-year-old averaged a career-high 11.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Bulls in his first real playing opportunity. The jury's still out on Rob Dillingham, who is only 21, but has shown flashes.
Grade: B
Thursday, Feb. 5: Bulls Land Center in Three-Team Trade
Chicago Bulls Receive:
- C Nick Richards
Milwaukee Bucks Receive:
- F Ousmane Dieng
- F Nigel Hayes-Davis
Phoenix Suns Receive:
- G Cole Anthony
- G Amir Coffey
Dieng, still only 22 years old, averaged 11 points per outing and posted a 36-point, 10-assist, seven-rebound game after being rerouted from Chicago to Milwaukee. Nick Richards will probably not be a Bull next season and holds little long-term value.
Grade: D-
The Verdict
All in all, the Bulls acquired eight second-round draft picks and several interesting developmental pieces, like Miller and Dillingham. However, Chicago could've gotten even more in return if it hadn't waited until the last possible moment to part with its most valuable assets. The fact that Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley sold low on multiple very good players is a big part of the reason that neither is still in their respective positions.
As bad as some of the deals were, though, the trade deadline marked a major shift in the franchise's direction, and that's what matters. Chicago will now have two first-round draft picks this summer, as well as a boatload of cap space, to reshape the organization's future.


