Image: Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune
A week has passed since the Bulls initiated the complete teardown of their roster, and the new look Bulls have played and lost four straight games since the deadline. With the team’s new mission being to secure a higher lottery pick instead of another play-in berth, Bulls fans can finally hold some excitement for the future.
However, Arturas and the front office have received increased heat for their underwhelming returns in their trade packages. The Bulls were unable to receive a single first-round pick for Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Nikola Vucevic. They instead opted to take chances on former lottery picks that fell out of favor with their previous teams, in hopes that their trajectories turn around in Chicago. Now that tempers have had a week to cool off, here are as objective as possible grades for the Bulls’ trades this deadline.
Celtics receive Nikola Vucevic and 2027 2nd round pick, Bulls receive Anfernee Simons and 2026 2nd round pick
After two seasons on the trade block, Vucevic and the Bulls finally part ways. The Celtics add Vucevic to a rotation that has exceeded expectations without Jayson Tatum. They are second in the East with a 35-19 record and are primed for another deep playoff run this summer. Vucevic’s elite rebounding ability and improved outside shooting bolster the Celtics’ frontcourt and ensure reliable scoring in the paint.
As the return for Vucevic, they received Anfernee Simons and a 2nd round pick for this year’s draft. Simons does not fill any immediate needs for Chicago, but he is a solid shooting guard to pair with Josh Giddey during the transition period. Before the trade, Simons averaged 15.6 points per game and shot 42.1 percent from behind the arc in January.
During his first four games in Chicago, Simons has continued his high level of play. He has scored the most points on the team in two of the four games with Giddey injured, with an average of 16.8 points per game.
For waiting so long to trade Vucevic, landing Simons in return is better than the front office is receiving credit for. Receiving a first-round pick was never realistic for a 35-year-old center, but Simons is an enticing consolation prize. Just two seasons removed from averaging 22.6 points and 5.5 assists per game, Simons has flashed exciting potential and is just 26 years old. Now that he is back in a starting role, his numbers can return to those highs and serve as an audition for earning a spot long-term in the Bulls’ rebuild plans.
Grade: B+
Bulls receive Jaden Ivey from Pistons as part of three-team trade
As I correctly predicted before the deadline, the Bulls had eyes on adding Jaden Ivey to their squad. In the Bulls’ first three-team trade of the deadline, Chicago sent Dario Saric and Kevin Huerter to the Pistons for Ivey and received Mike Conley from the Timberwolves in the mix of a pick swap between Detroit and Minnesota. While Conley was flipped in their next trade to Charlotte, Ivey instantly stands out as an intriguing low-risk, high-reward prize in this deal.
The former fifth overall pick displayed promising flashes early on with the Pistons. In Ivey’s first three seasons, he averaged 16.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. His scoring ability and athleticism made him an exciting young part of the Pistons’ core.
However, Ivey became expendable to Detroit this year. He fell out of favor in coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s current rotation due to defensive struggles. With his minutes cut in half as a member of the second unit, his per-game stats declined. However, he continued to build on improved shooting efficiency from 2024.
With the change of scenery, Ivey has the opportunity to excel and become the star he was projected to be. Playing alongside Giddey, Ivey can thrive by playing to his strengths of off-ball outside and leading the offense in isolation. The acquisition of Ivey gives the Bulls a potential young replacement for Coby White that better fits the rebuild timeline, at a price that leaves little risk for Chicago if it does not pan out.
Grade: A+
Hornets receive Coby White, Mike Conley, and two second-round picks, Bulls receive Collin Sexton and Ousmane Dieng
Before losing him for nothing during free agency, the Bulls finally pulled the trigger on a long-rumored Coby White deal. Chicago sent Coby packing to Charlotte for Collin Sexton and two second-round picks in 2031 (a third second-rounder was voided due to Coby failing his physical.) Mike Conley and Ousmane Dieng both landed on other teams at the deadline’s conclusion.
Similar to the Vucevic trade, the Bulls failed to capitalize on receiving a peak amount of trade value for Coby. Sexton has recorded solid numbers over his career (career averages of 18.4/2.7/3.7), but hoops with the same playstyle that Coby does. Sexton also measures as a poor defender due to his short stature despite playing with a high motor. In comparison to Coby’s average but improving defense over the past few seasons, Sexton comes off as a downgrade and placeholder while the Bulls tank for a higher draft pick.
To makes matters worse, the Bulls training staff failed to properly assess Coby’s calf injury. After his physical with Charlotte revealed that his injury would force him to miss time, the Hornets removed one of their second round picks from the deal. Considering the Bulls forced Coby to play through injury, it is hard to fault the Hornets for feeling cheated.
While Sexton should continue to record solid offensive numbers like he has over his first three games with the team (17.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, two assists per game), his defensive woes and small frame put the Bulls at the same defensive and floor spacing disadvantages. Failing to receive a first round pick for a player with all-star potential like Coby, and opting to trade with Charlotte over more asset heavy teams like Detroit and Houston leave another painful blemish on the front office’s resume.
Grade: D
Bulls flip Ousmane Dieng to Bucks and receive Suns’ center Nick Richards in three-team deal
It is very early to grade this deal, as Dieng has a small sample size of extended minutes. However, Dieng’s initial performance with the Bucks shows potential for this trade to be a disastrous mistake on the Bulls’ end. Dieng has been buried in the Thunder’s depth chart for the first four years of his career, averaging just 12 minutes per game.
The Bulls opted to trade Dieng for needed frontcourt depth in a three-team trade with the Bucks and Suns, receiving Suns center Nick Richards. This trade disappoints on the surface, as Richards is a second-round journeyman who has posted underwhelming rebound numbers (5.9 per game) his whole career. After Richards received a demotion to the bench, he averaged just 3.3 rebounds and 3.2 points.
While Richards’ numbers have increased in Chicago with a starting role (10.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in three games), they significantly underwhelm compared to Dieng’s hot start in Milwaukee. In his last two games, Dieng received full minutes and has averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game. In his most recent game versus the Thunder, Dieng recorded a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 boards. He also dished six assists and recorded four blocks, flashing star potential at the forward position.
If this performance keeps up, this will prove to be a colossal mistake by Arturas and the front office. The Bulls have searched for a star at the wing position since the Jimmy Butler trade in 2017. If they had a star in their laps and fumbled him, it would set the franchise back another few years in their rebuild.
Grade: D
Timberwolves receive Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Phillips, Bulls receive Rob Dillingham and four second-round picks
To complete the fire sale of the 2022 core, the Bulls front office made the controversial decision to trade Ayo Dosunmu. Ayo and Phillips head to Minnesota in exchange for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller, and four second-round picks (2026, 2027, 2031 pick swap, 2032).
There are lots of frustrations to vent about this trade, starting with the fact that Ayo is having his best NBA season yet. He is averaging career highs in points (15 per game) and three-point shooting percentage, ranking near the top of the league with a shooting percentage of 45.1% behind the arc. Quickly developing into one of the league’s best outside shooters and scorers off the bench, trading Ayo makes no sense to me. Ayo fits the rebuild timeline at just 26 years old and has improved every season. Refusing to pay our hometown hero in restricted free agency cuts deep, considering we handed out a five-year, $90 million contract to Patrick Williams.
The lack of intriguing return for Ayo is also mind-boggling. Dillingham highlights as a former lottery pick with potential to improve. His first three games in Chicago showed promise, with numbers already jumping from 3.5 to 11 points, 1.2 to 3.7 rebounds, and 1.7 to four assists per game. Seeing increased minutes not received in Minnesota, the hope is that he becomes an efficient sixth man despite a crowded guard room.
Not receiving a single first-round pick of any year for Ayo is infuriating. A 26-year-old, efficient scorer, defender, and future sixth man of the year candidate cannot capture even a late first? This trade feels like a desperation move rather than a proper management of assets as a franchise. Arturas and the rest of the front office have to answer for this if Dillingham fails to make an impact.
Grade: F
Knicks receive Dalen Terry, Bulls receive Guerschon Yabusele
After three and a half seasons of failing to make a meaningful impact, the Bulls cut Dalen Terry loose to free up space in their crowded guard room. By sending Terry to the Knicks, Chicago adds much-needed size to their frontcourt by bringing in Guerschon Yabusele.
Both players found themselves in dire need of a change of scenery, hence the low-risk player swap. However, this instantly appears to be a steal for Chicago. Yabusele made an impact as a role player when starting for Philadelphia last year. He averaged 11 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, while providing versatility and physicality on defense when guarding the rim. In his first four games with Chicago, Yabusele has already shown the ability to return to last year’s level, averaging 10.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.
On the contrary, Terry showed little improvement over his Chicago tenure. He averaged just 3.5 points and 1.2 assists per game while struggling to make the defensive impact he made in college. A change was overdue for the shortest team in the league. For a Chicago team in dire need of interior defense, there is room for Yabusele to make a name for himself by grabbing boards and developing as a rim protector.
Grade: A
Final Thoughts
Overall, the teardown the Bulls initiated this deadline indicates a step in the right direction. Finally opting to rebuild instead of competing for a play-in spot signals a new era for Chicago. However, not receiving a single first-round pick (besides their own for Zach LaVine last year) for all six guys from their 2022 core is a complete, utter failure from the front office. Bulls fans deserve better management from ownership and player personnel.
Landing guys like Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons make for intriguing additions, but fail to solve the problem of building the team with too many guards. Arturas and the Bulls front office need to commit to a direction and blueprint for their roster. It is the only chance at future success before entering the crucial stages of the rebuild this offseason.
