Bulls trade Vučević, White, Dosunmu as franchise hits reset button
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Coby White celebrates his team's win against the Boston Celtics at the United Center last month. Photo: Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images
The Chicago Bulls unloaded several players this week before Thursday's trade deadline, signaling the club will embark on a full teardown.
Why it matters: The Bulls will attempt to rebuild the struggling franchise again after only one brief playoff appearance since 2017.
- Many fans see the move as eerily familiar: Tear it down, promise patience, and hope for lottery luck.
The latest: This week, the team parted ways with Nikola Vučević, Coby White, Kevin Huerter, Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry and Ayo Dosunmu.
- White, who was the team's top scorer over the past few seasons, was shipped to Charlotte, while former All-Star Vučević was sent to Boston. Dosunmu, a local fan favorite, was dealt to Minnesota.
- In return, the Bulls got Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, Rob Dillingham, Collin Sexton, Nick Richards, Guerschon Yabusele and Leonard Miller.
- They also secured nine future second-round draft picks, but no coveted first-round picks.
Zoom in: The Bulls have been mired in mediocrity the last few seasons, hovering around .500 and losing in the NBA Play-In Tournament three years in a row.
- Front office duo Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley have yet to bring Chicago a consistent winner, while coach Billy Donovan has a 195-206 record since 2020.
Yes, but: Optimism was flowing after a great run to end last season, coupled with a 6-1 start this year.
- It fell apart, though, as the Bulls sit at 22–27, good for 10th in the East Conference.
Reality check: To get lottery picks, they have to play really bad basketball, and it's rare to see a team go from worst to first with draft picks alone. Instead, teams splurge on big free agents or make blockbuster trades.
- The last time the Bulls had a Top 5 pick, they selected Patrick Williams in 2020. Williams is still with the team, but has been a bust by all accounts.
- With big superstars on this year's trade market, the Bulls seemed disinterested in that path, instead choosing the cheaper alternative.
Between the lines: While it was clear the Bulls needed a refresh, they play in a league where superstars matter.
- Names like Steph Curry, LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Giannis Antetokounmpo shine bright.
- The Bulls insist they still have a young core, led by Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis, but neither projects as a franchise-level star.
What's next: Next offseason, the Bulls are expected to have one of the lowest payrolls in the NBA.
- They could use that flexibility to chase star free agents, but owner Jerry Reinsdorf's current rebuild of his other team, the Chicago White Sox, signals that probably won't be the case.
The bottom line: It'll be tough to muster excitement for another rebuild in Chicago sports, especially on the West Side, where this club has seen more teardowns than playoff games.
Editor's note: This is a developing story.