Every NBA offseason brings the promise of blockbuster moves, but this one feels different. With Giannis Antetokounmpo possibly looking for a new home, Kevin Durant potentially on the move again, and teams like the Celtics staring down luxury tax hell, there’s a lot of smoke in the air.
And while the Bulls might not be at the center of every rumor mill firestorm, they do have some cards to play. Let’s take a look at what assets the Bulls are working with—and whether or not they can actually make a meaningful splash this summer.
Draft Picks: The Bulls’ Most Valuable Commodity
The Bulls aren’t swimming in draft capital, but they do hold onto all their future first-round picks—a rare advantage in today’s NBA landscape. That gives them flexibility most teams don’t have.
Here’s what they own:
- 2025 – Own
- 2026 – Own + via Portland Trail Blazers
- 2027 – Own
- 2028 – Own
- 2029 – Own
- 2030 – Own
- 2031 – Own
Thanks to the Zach LaVine trade earlier this season, the Bulls were able to retain their 2025 pick, which came in at No. 12 this year. They also have that lottery-protected pick from Portland, which has until 2028 to convey—giving them another potential bargaining chip if things go south for the Blazers.
Now, due to the Stepien Rule (which prevents a team from trading its own first-rounders in consecutive years), the Bulls can only move four of their own picks right now. Still, being able to package up to five first-round selections could be tempting bait for other franchises looking to rebuild or reload.
Is it ideal? Probably not. But when you’re stuck in mediocrity and need to shake things up, having multiple future assets is better than having none.
Young Talent: Who Can Move?
When it comes to young players who could bring back real value, the Bulls’ cupboard isn’t exactly overflowing. There’s one name that stands out though: Matas Buzelis .
Still early in his career, Buzelis has already drawn interest around the league as a versatile forward with upside. He’s not quite a finished product yet, but he’s got enough potential to be a centerpiece in the right kind of deal.
Coby White might come to mind too—but here’s the catch: he’ll be an unrestricted free agent after next season. That makes him more of a rental piece than a long-term asset, which lowers his trade value unless another team is willing to pony up for a short-term fix.
Nikola Vucevic is another player the Bulls kicked the tires on during the last trade deadline. While he’s still productive, his age (turning 35) and contract ($21.5M next season) limit his appeal. Teams might be interested in taking on his salary for draft compensation, but don’t expect him to headline any major trades.
So yeah, the Bulls don’t have the kind of young talent that rivals what Houston or San Antonio have built. But Buzelis gives them something to work with.
Tradable Contracts: The Mid-Salary Chips
While the Bulls might not have star-level players to offer, they do have several mid-sized contracts that could help them get involved in complex trades.
These include:
- Nikola Vucevic : $21.5M (expiring)
- Kevin Huerter : ~$18M (expiring)
- Zach Collins : ~$18M (expiring)
- Ayo Dosunmu : $7.5M (non-expiring, UFA in 2026)
These kinds of deals can be useful in multi-team trades or as salary filler to help other teams balance books. In fact, Huerter and Collins were both used in the LaVine trade earlier this year—showing just how valuable expiring money can be in the right context.
Expect the Bulls to shop these names again this summer, especially if they’re looking to move toward a younger core or accumulate even more draft picks.
So What Can the Bulls Actually Do?
Let’s keep it real—the Bulls aren’t likely to land a superstar this summer unless they get wildly creative or lucky. But that doesn’t mean they can’t improve.
Here are a few realistic paths:
- Trade picks + expiring contracts for a young rotation player or a solid role player.
- Hold off on big moves and focus on developing current talent while stockpiling assets.
- Use expiring deals to help facilitate third-party trades in exchange for late-firsts or seconds.
If they play their cards right, the Bulls could find themselves in a better position by next season—either through internal growth or a well-timed trade.
The Bulls have some tools to work with, but nothing that screams “star-level acquisition.” Their best bet is probably to stay patient, continue accumulating picks, and wait for the right opportunity to strike.
This summer may not be fireworks central for Chicago, but with smart management, it could lay the foundation for something bigger down the road.