With Jordan Hawkins reportedly on the block, Chicago could secure an elite movement shooter for a bargain to bolster their young core and ignite a stagnant offense.
The Chicago Bulls still need shooting.
That statement has echoed across the fanbase throughout the offseason and it has merit.
With Bennedict Mathurin signing in New Orleans, the Pelicans are now reportedly trying to move former first-round pick Jordan Hawkins. For a Bulls team still building around its young core, Hawkins is exactly the type of low-risk reclamation project worth looking into.
Hawkins is entering the final year of his rookie contract with roughly $7.02 million owed in 2026-27. He hasn't exactly lived up to being the No. 14 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, but that doesn't mean the talent that made him a lottery pick has disappeared.
Remember what Hawkins was at UConn.
As a sophomore, Hawkins averaged 16.2 points while shooting 38.8% from three on 7.6 attempts per game. He was one of the best movement shooters in college basketball and played a major role in UConn's run to the 2023 national championship under Dan Hurley.
That shooting hasn't translated consistently to the NBA, but Hawkins is also only 24 years old, and there's still time for him to develop into a shooter at the NBA level. Here are three reasons why Chicago could be an interesting landing spot.
Jan 11, 2026; Orlando, Florida, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) shoots against Orlando Magic guard Tyus Jones (2) during the second quarter at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Watters-Imagn Images1. The Price Should Be Cheap
This is probably the biggest reason for the Bulls to make a call.
Chicago shouldn't be looking to give up meaningful assets for Hawkins. The entire appeal is buying low on a former lottery pick whose value has dropped considerably since draft night.
Depending on how badly New Orleans wants to clear Hawkins' salary and roster spot, Chicago may not have to give up much of anything. There's even a scenario where the Bulls could potentially ask for draft compensation to help facilitate a deal.
If the Bulls can acquire Hawkins for little cost, or somehow add a second-round pick in the process, why not take the chance?
Worst case, his contract expires after the season and he walks. No harm, no foul.
2. Hawkins Still Has Developmental Upside
Hawkins hasn't established himself as a reliable NBA rotation player, but it's also fair to question whether he's ever had the consistent, structured developmental opportunity necessary to do so.
That's something Chicago can offer.
The Bulls aren't trying to squeeze every possible win out of a veteran roster. They're trying to figure out which young players can be part of their next good team. Hawkins would fit directly into that timeline.
More importantly, his theoretical skill set fills an obvious need.
The Bulls need players who can stretch defenses, move without the basketball and punish teams for loading up on their young creators. Hawkins hasn't been that player consistently in the NBA, but the UConn tape shows why teams believed he could become one.
Playing alongside passers like Josh Giddey and Tre Jones could also help. Hawkins wouldn't need to create offense from scratch. Let him run off screens, relocate around the perimeter and see if Chicago can rediscover some of that UConn shooting touch.
At 24, it's too early to completely give up on that possibility.
Nov 5, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) shoots over Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the first half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images3. The Bryson Graham Connection Matters
This is where the idea gets even more interesting.
Bulls' executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham was in the Pelicans' front office when New Orleans selected Hawkins 14th overall in 2023.
That doesn't mean Graham is automatically interested in bringing Hawkins to Chicago, but he knows the player.
Graham was part of an organization that evaluated Hawkins throughout the pre-draft process and ultimately decided he was worth a lottery selection. He should have a pretty good understanding of Hawkins' strengths, weaknesses and whether there's still untapped potential there.
That familiarity could make Chicago a logical team to watch if New Orleans is serious about moving him.
Hawkins isn't the type of addition that suddenly changes the Bulls' outlook. That's not really the point.
He's cheap. He's young. He was a first-round pick for a reason. He plays a position of need, and Chicago's lead basketball executive already has familiarity with him.
For a Bulls team that should be searching for undervalued young talent wherever it can find it, Hawkins checks enough boxes to at least make a phone call.
