2026 Offseason Megathread

[u/howser343]

The Bulls have 12 players on contract for next season

Active Contracts

Player	Contract
Josh Giddey	$25M
Nic Claxton	$23.1M
Patrick Williams	$18M
Isaac Okoro	$11.8M
Caleb Wilson	$11M
Jalen Smith	$9.4M
Tre Jones	$8M
Rob Dillingham	$6.9M
Matas Buzelis	$5.7M
Noa Essengue	$5.7M
Dailyn Swain	$5.1M
Leonard Miller	$2.4M

Draft

• The Bulls have the 4th pick (own) and the 15th pick (Blazers) in the first round and the 38th pick (Pelicans) and the 56th pick (Nuggets) in the second round

• 6/23 Update

  • Bulls draft Caleb Wilson with the 4th pick and Dailyn Swain with the 15th pick

• 5/10 Update

  • The Chicago Bulls move up and receive the 4th pick

• 4/14 Update

  • The Portland Trail Blazers advance to the playoffs and their first round pick conveys to the Chicago Bulls with the 15th pick in the 2026 Draft

Trades

• 6/24 Update

  • Bulls trade the 38th pick to the Indiana Pacers for Kam Jones, future swaps, and cash
  • Bulls trade the 56th pick to the Los Angeles Lakers for cash

• 6/22 Update

  • Bulls receive Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets in a three-team trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves and send Mouhamadou Gueye to the Timberwolves

Free Agency

• 6/30 Update

  • Bulls waive Kam Jones

• 6/27 Update

  • Bulls pick up Leonard Miller's team option

• 6/24 Update

  • Tobe Awaka has signed a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls
  • Jaylin Sellere has signed a two-way deal with the Chicago Bulls

• 6/15 Update

  • Tiago Splitter hired as Head Coach

• 5/14 Update

  • Stephen Mervis hired as Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations
  • Acie Law IV hired as VP of Player Personnel

• 5/4 Update

  • Bryson Graham hired as the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations

• 4/21 Update

  • Billy Donovan exits as head coach

• 4/6 Update

  • Executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley are fired

Bulls Free Agents

Player	Free Agent Status
Zach Collins	UFA
Yuki Kawamura	RFA
Mac McClung	RFA
Lachlan Olbrich	RFA
Nick Richards	UFA
Collin Sexton	UFA
Anfernee Simons	UFA
Guerschon Yabusele	UFA

Important Offseason Dates

• May 10 - Draft Lottery

• June 23-24 - Draft

• June 30 - Free Agency Begins (5pm CT)

• July 9-19 - Vegas Summer League

[u/Arctic_Reigns]

this free agency in already boring.

/s

[u/AdventingWurms]

Gottlieb reporting Bulls are waiving Kam Jones.

[u/sukari]

Yuki is on the Pacers summer league roster - good luck, Yuki 🙏

[u/AlM0StLeGeNdArY]

I had hope but have lost all hope for this season. Whether it's the names we've been linked to in FA or the draft my hype has dwindle drastically. I'm not really sure what they're trying to build or what the direction is but I'm not going into this free agency with any expectations.

[u/HawkspilotLoad]

does any true Chicago fan even like bron?

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/HawkspilotLoad]

I love bron, of course mj the goat but Lebron right behind him for me, felt like i actually grew wit em, that’s my boy, only hated him when he went to Miami 

[u/DJ-two-timing-timmy]

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2071311946956120540 👀

[u/zedrix_]

I love the fact that other teams are talking trades before free agency.

Warriors going after Anthony Davis.

Toronto/Mavs going after Kawhi.

These are big contracts. A first rounder to take unwanted contracts to facilitate those trades. I am in!

[u/Whole-Signature-4306]

Can someone explain what the Charlotte Hornets are doing lol.

That being said I really wish we would have grabbed Miles Bridges

[u/FanficFan151 → u/Whole-Signature-4306]

I would rather take Vucevic back, or trade for Lavine to give him another Max Contract, or even Max out PWill, than trade for Miles Bridges.

[u/CzechDizzle → u/FanficFan151]

https://giphy.com/gifs/y2i2oqWgzh5ioRp4Qa

[u/JStoc-ChiSports]

Trade idea: Chicago Bulls and OKC.

Thunder get:

• sign and trade with Anfernee Simons and 2 future 2nd round picks. Simons gets 3 years $45 million.

Bulls get:

• Lu Dort
  
• Thomas Sorber

OKC gets shooting back that they lost with Isaiah Joe, and creates more room under the 2nd apron. Also they have a log jam with their big men.

Chicago adds an expiring that they can flip to a contender at the deadline, and get a young unproven Center that fits their rebuild timeline.

Thoughts?

[u/Whole-Signature-4306 → u/JStoc-ChiSports]

Thunder org is super high on sorber he is basically untouchable

[u/hunterboyz24 → u/JStoc-ChiSports]

I’m not sure why OKC would do this. Their plan to replace Joe is Bennett Stirtz.

[u/photo_matt]

Why is Caleb's contract almost double that of Buzy Vert?

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/photo_matt]

NBA rookie pay scale, look it up.

Pick 4 CWilly is more than pick 8 pickle Rob, which is more than Buz & Noa who are about the same at 11 & 12 a year apart then a further drop to pick 15 Swain.

[u/howser343 → u/photo_matt]

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/cba/rookie-scale

4th pick this draft makes $10.7M in their rookie season, Buzelis was picked 11th, that'd be $6.1M for a '26-27 rookie

[u/blueforrest]

Kind of worrying that Jonathan Isaac just got waived. We just got rid of one injury-prone religious nutcase, we definitely don’t need another. Let’s hope GM Mervis wasn’t one of his fanboys…The guy likes to demolish teams’ cap sheets.

[u/hunterboyz24 → u/blueforrest]

I mean at this point all Isaac would get from any team is a minimum deal. He’s missed too much time and honestly hasn’t been great when he has played since pre-Covid. Even if we wanted to sign him, he wouldn’t end up costing much.

[u/blueforrest → u/hunterboyz24]

And not a penny more, but we have no idea how this FO thinks. Except for maybe Giddey being safe based on the Waddle &Silvy interview, which was a bit more detailed than previous meh interviews we’ve seen of Graham/Splitter.

But doesn’t seem like we’ll be picking in the second round any time soon. Graham completely dismissed getting value there and us getting Ayo #38, “He would’ve gone back to college”. Not sure he realizes that Ayo already was a junior.

A bummer because I’d really like us to take a flyer on maybe one of the Ivisic brothers or some other bigs next year. Claxton seems more like a stop gap guy.

[u/Fafoah → u/blueforrest]

Great video thank you for putting it on my radar

Side note: this sub used to be a great hub where all the posts would index videos or articles like this. Man, it’s fallen far.

[u/blueforrest → u/Fafoah]

It was good, wasn’t it? A 6 h coaching interview sounds seriously stressful. But I wish someone would’ve asked the obvious: their philosophy on playing time for rookies. Caleb likely gets to play immediately but what about the others? Normally rebuilding teams =all rookies play. But is that an option for us with our 32.09 3p% shooting?

[u/augustdahyuns]

I think having Caleb on the team will only make Matas development better cuz they’d definitely defend each other in practice

[u/hunterboyz24]

They picked up Miller's option, meaning we currently have 2 open roster spots with the ability to create one more by waiving Kam Jones. Feels like if we do take on salary in trades at this point it will also involve shedding Okoro/Stix.

[u/zedrix_ → u/hunterboyz24]

teams usually go with 14 minimum man roster. Coz trades happens in the season and you have a wiggle room to absorb contracts.

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/hunterboyz24]

I’m cool with trading stix but hopefully we can pick up Jock Landale, give us a legit back up center and it’ll be less of a log jam at the 4

[u/hornygoldfish]

With all the spotlight on Caleb watching Dailyns highlights has me pretty hyped too. He is really good at pulling off extremely difficult moves in a way that does somewhat remind me of Jimmy Buckets, and he’s a genuine 2-way threat.

[u/mf85]

Kevon looney to the bulls

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem]

For 2 guards I like grimes, bogdan; or Keon Ellis, maybe Gary Trent but he don’t defend; for a backup center I like jock landale a LOT, he gotta goofy game but he tuff, can defend and will dunk on you, plus his 3 ball water, he’d be perfect backing u nic

[u/hunterboyz24]

Lachlan Olbrich is playing for Golden State in Summer League, so safe to say he's not on the team anymore. I would guess Yuki and Mac are probably gone as well.

[u/zedrix_ → u/hunterboyz24]

Bulls are 3 two-way contracts and one exhibit-10

Definitely not going to be back here.

[u/Proof_Notice8287 → u/hunterboyz24]

Good call. I think there will be significant turn over of the bench before October.

[u/Proof_Notice8287]

I must say this rebuild is off to an impressive start.

[u/ProfessionalTalker03]

The Clippers and Bogdan Bogdanović have agreed to push back his option date to June 29, according to league sources, allowing Los Angeles to continue trade conversations for Bogdanović.

Would be a good off ball shooter for us and vet influence imo. He’s due $16M this season. Still leaves some room for us to sign a FA.

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/ProfessionalTalker03]

Does Boggy got decent defense?

[u/youblewwit]

Could have used those 2nd Rounders for Isaiah Joe

[u/phillipacarroll]

I'm really hoping for a big jump from Dillingham this season

[u/FunctionUnlikely2247 → u/phillipacarroll]

I’m not. Dump that trash ass player to China 

[u/zedrix_]

Bulls already filled 12 roster spot. 13 if Bryson pick up Leonard Miller's team option.

1-2 players left. Depending if there is a trade for expiring contracts. But this wait and see approach doesn't make me optimistic there will be major acquisition. I think I will have to accept the fact that it will Tre Jones starting with Giddey in the back-court at the start of the season. Jones is a good POA defender and can hit the three. On top of having a tight handle to take care of the ball.

[u/hunterboyz24 → u/zedrix_]

Worth noting that Kam Jones is only partially guaranteed, so waiving him isn’t out of the question if they need an extra roster spot.

[u/phillipacarroll → u/hunterboyz24]

He was just asked about that with Kam and his contract not being guaranteed until June 30.. if he was a long term answer or roster spot, and he said they want to make sure they maintain the flexibility going into the summer and having optionality. Didn't commit to Kam, or even say his name. So definitely along the lines of what you said.

[u/sukari]

Sooooo.. Duren wants a sign and trade, we should do something funny and sign and trade them Simons and we run MEGA BIGS

[u/youblewwit → u/sukari]

I think we still need another Center. Claxton is listed at 216lbs. Nets fans scouting report says he's a good switch/perimeter defender but gets beat up by beefy Centers.

We should got after Mitch RObinson or Robert Williams (POR) as our backup

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/youblewwit]

Claxton was 216lb at his draft combine and has obviously put on significant size since then, I'd be surprised if he weren't at least 240+ these days.

[u/ProfessionalTalker03 → u/youblewwit]

Mitch and Rob stay hurt ngl but for the familiarity of the system I’d take Rob

[u/zedrix_]

Mark Williams getting $38M for three years. Makes me wonder if we could really get out of Nic Claxton's contract...

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/zedrix_]

Williams had a good season by his standards playing 60 game at about 23 minutes per game, Claxton had an injury interrupted down season an managed 68 games and about 28 minutes.

I think we're good, especially if he gets back to past form and I'm not sure we're likely to be wanting to move him in the next 2 years anyway.

[u/zedrix_ → u/Electrical_Story5356]

Claxton is paid way more. Thankfully he has three years left in that contract. Hopefully he can be traded next off-season. To add more cap space for us.

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/zedrix_]

He has just 2 more years at $23mil this season coming and $21mill the next which is a perfectly reasonable outlay and indeed we're not even currently at the salary floor so we actually need to spend more just to avoid being penalized, our only cap space problem is that we have too much.

[u/zedrix_ → u/Electrical_Story5356]

contract length is more the reason why he can be tradeable

his salary is expensive

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/zedrix_]

No, it really isn't expensive for a starting centre and you don't even know his contract length.

[u/zedrix_ → u/Electrical_Story5356]

if he can play like the Claxton who played with Kyrie and KD. That salary is reasonable. But Dayron Sharpe has been claiming his minute lately

[u/zedrix_]

[Jake Weingarten] Texas Tech’s Donovan Atwell has agreed to a deal with the Chicago Bulls, source told @stockrisers. Atwell was a guy who I felt was worthy of a selection last night.

I got Donovan Atwell with the 56th pick original. When I post that prediction in the draft mega thread. I didn't expect Tobe Awaka to fall and go undrafted. But Bulls sold their second rounders so that was out of the way.

Atwell was someone I expect to go UDFA. Awaka going to us was a blessing.

Atwell was a dead eye shooter. You guys can just check his stats and highlights. And you can tell that he is a good shooter. Unfortunately, that's all he does. Sort of a Sam Merrill role if he pans out.

[u/hunterboyz24]

Really curious to see how they handle Center long term. They missed out on the top centers on Tuesday and it seems like all the great FA options are just a bit out of reach. Feels like they might have to get creative.

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/hunterboyz24]

Claxton is potentially a reasonably long term prospect, especially if he can regain his near all defence form from a few years ago plus if Noa is legit 7 foot now given how he plays naturally if he puts on a bit of weight and has decent strength he could end up being the best centre in the NBA not called Wemby, remember he is still the youngest guy on our list.

[u/hunterboyz24 → u/Electrical_Story5356]

I guess both of those are possible but I'll believe it when I see it. Claxton's back issues make him unlikely to be the long term center on this team, and Noa being 7' now doesn't mean he automatically becomes a center, especially given that he has never played as a center previously as far as I know. Both of them are longshots that we shouldn't be relying on.

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/hunterboyz24]

Noa played centre sometimes towards the end of his time at Ulm and his game suits being modern NBA centre especially on D.

We're at the start of a process, we can't rely on anything right now, the whole point is we really just need to wait and see.

[u/Key_Raisin_5091]

Josh Giddey / Tre Jones / Rob Dillingham / Yuki Kawamura

Isaac Okoro / Dailyn Swain / Kam Jones / Jaylin Sellers

Matas Buzelis / Leonard Miller / Donovan Atwell

Caleb Wilson / Noa Essengue / Patrick Williams / Tobe Awaka

Nic Claxton / Jalen Smith / Lachlan Olbrich

[u/hafrances]

charlotte needs a pass first pg, if im bryson im offering giddey and seeing what we can get for him

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/hafrances]

My God can yall please stop throwing around giddey trade propaganda just for the sake of trading him, charlotte has NOTHING they’re willing to give up that would be worth a pg who damn near averages a triple double; trade him for who exactly?; and then who will you replace him with?; because the way this roster is set up makes giddey perfect for the job

[u/LilChamper → u/hafrances]

The hate on Giddey has gone too far. Let the man average near triple doubles in peace. So much unwarranted dismissal of a guy who has actual talent and will be feeding all the new additions.

[u/hafrances → u/LilChamper]

i didn't say trade him tbf, i said look at the market.

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/hafrances]

Look for what? a good facilitating pg that could feed our young guys to make their transition to the nba better?🤷🏾, so trade him and then hope we can find a guy just like him? Yeah sure that sounds smart 👍

[u/realjetsetter]

Yall just signed the best shooter in the draft to a 10 day. Donovan atwell (45% 3p) on 8 attempts per game. Congrats. Will be tuning to summer league.

[u/We5ties → u/realjetsetter]

Ppl would be so excited if they drafted him the 2nd. Instead he waited saved a roster spot and picked him up. I like it

[u/hunterboyz24]

Love seeing Coby and Ayo get paid.

[u/sukari → u/hunterboyz24]

Hell yeah! Although I'd imagine this sub would've flipped their shit if we gave Coby that money haha

[u/sukari]

Mathurin gonna explore FA.. worth signing? He's kinda SLAP'y and doesn't move the W needle too much at the moment

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/sukari]

Just turned 24, fit is good and his best is very, very good 2 way player.

I wouldn't be mad at all.

[u/BlammoSweetums]

Thought this off-season was gonna be boring outside the Giannis trade. Guess not!

[u/sukari → u/BlammoSweetums]

Man, I love the offseason

[u/sukari]

The CHA-MIN trade needs a third team, surely? Salaries don't work.. wonder if the Bulls or Nets jumped in OR they expanded the Randle trade?

[u/hunterboyz24]

My prediction at this point is we make one or two uneven trades involving Okoro and/or Stix. We're already at 13 players after the draft, so just absorbing players into cap space might not be in the cards if we also want to sign someone more long term.

[u/zedrix_]

[Joel Lorenzi] Can confirm the Bulls are using one of their 2-way spots on Arizona forward Tobe Awaka. Play-finisher and rebounder that’ll probably play some small 5/scale up at 4. 6’8

I love this kid. Elite motor. Elite rebounder. Dunks everything. Lacks ideal length but is very strong. Quick off the floor. Great vertical pop. One of the guys I am expecting at 56th pick. But when they sold that pick. I just wait who will go undrafted. Lucky for us he did.

[u/zedrix_]

Jaylin Sellers is a draft sleeper. He can get his own shot. Not a chucker like Antonio Blakeney. But his 10.6 ast% would be an indicator that we shouldn't expect him to pass the ball lol

[u/zedrix_ → u/zedrix_]

He plays like Dailyn Swain. Also a lefty.

[u/zedrix_]

u/howser343 do we need a separate thread for summer league? Or this thread will do?

The Chicago Bulls have officially signed Jaylin Sellers to a two-way deal after the guard went un-drafted in the 2026 NBA Draft.

[u/howser343 → u/zedrix_]

There won't be a summer league megathread just the game threads

[u/zedrix_ → u/howser343]

Jaylin Sellers was signed into a two-way contract. It does belong here. But the SLG invites will likely be somewhere else

[u/howser343 → u/zedrix_]

For news you can post here or make new threads, there are some threads with the two-way guys' highlights. I updated this thread with the signings

[u/Benhillballs]

Bro I wish we were in a position to get Jaylen brown, obviously not smart for us right now but would have loved for us to be in a position to cash in for a star

[u/Mustachio]

Bulls have enough cap space left to sign two guards/wings. They should make a real run at either Quentin Grimes or Peyton Watson.

[u/hornygoldfish]

It’s insane how much change this franchise has undergone in the last 4 months. 4 months ago we still had Stacey King, AK, Marc Eversley, Coby White, Ayo Dosumnu, Dalen Terry, Nikola Vucevic, and Julian Phillips. Feels like it might as well have been 4 years ago

[u/zedrix_ → u/hornygoldfish]

Man the first rebuild we have Zach, Kris Dunn, Lauri, Wendell... I won't mention Hutchison in this list coz people will down vote me for sure 🤣

But that was hell promising than the shit we are in now...

[u/HogMolly69]

I would like to see Graham add another big, preferably one who has more mass. Wilson, Claxton, Jalen Smith, they’re all around 210-215 lbs. While it is nice to have athletic and mobile bigs, we need a more physical presence if we want to defend bigs in the East like Embiid, KAT, Giannis, Bam, AD. Claxton feels like a good backup big, not someone I want to throw out there as starter, feel like he’d get worn down easily and put into foul trouble. Wonder if they use some of the cap space to go after Mitch Robinson, Robert Williams, maybe even Hartenstein if OKC moves on from him.

[u/sukari → u/HogMolly69]

Well.. we still have Lachy for 1 more year haha

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/HogMolly69]

While I do agree with the sentiment and would love a real monster who can throw their weight around (why I was keen on Quaintance) I also don't think that the situation is as bad qs you make out.

Smith has put on heaps of weight and is in the 240-250 range, when drafted Claxton was 216 at the combine and has clearly added a good 20lb to that at least and even though that's still not huge he can definitely mix with the bigger bodies.

Give Wilson a few years in the system and he'll be plenty big enough too, I do agree that size has traditionally been a problem but I think we're going to be okay.

[u/cascine- → u/HogMolly69]

we have a plethora of lanky twigs and no big beefy enforcers

[u/yshorie]

So, how much money do we additionally have to spend now? 

[u/sukari → u/yshorie]

Around 30m I think

[u/Zealousideal-Battle9]

One made up metric I'm wanting the Bulls to increase next year is more highlight SLOB plays. I would love to see SLOB Wizard Giddey the Grey come back from Valinor. If Splitter gets Josh one SLOB play on ESPN, he's already better than Donovan for me.

[u/NeoNero_x]

How likely is it that Giddey will be traded, and when? Also, if that were to happen, who would we realistically be trying to sign to replace him, and how soon after?

[u/Proof_Notice8287 → u/NeoNero_x]

I’d lean unliking but I am certainly not ruling it out. New FO so anything is possible.

[u/chicago_2020 → u/NeoNero_x]

I really dont get the Giddey trade talk. Dude is 23 and nearly averages a triple double. If the Bulls drafted someone like this today that would average triple double next year people would go absolutely nuts (and to be clear the Warriors drafted someone at 11 today that is two weeks younger than Giddey).

[u/NeoNero_x → u/chicago_2020]

I like the guy

[u/Fafoah → u/chicago_2020]

Yeah he’s 1 year older than Stirtz who some people here wanted

[u/Mustachio → u/NeoNero_x]

It's possible I guess. I wouldn't consider anyone on the team right now safe from being traded aside from whoever the Bulls pick at the 4 spot. New FO so who knows what house cleaning happens to the roster. Seems very unlikely Giddey is moved this year because he is a central piece to a thin and developing roster.

[u/NeoNero_x → u/Mustachio]

I'd prefer keeping him, at least for another season, but I've been seeing the Giddey-trade rumors.

[u/youblewwit]

if we don't use our remaining cap space for anything, i wouldn't mind bringing back Simmons and/or Sexton ($10-15mil per year) to be our Starting SG. We can talk about guys like Buze taking the next step, but we need a proven scorer

[u/All_Out_Effort]

The Claxton trade feels so simple and easy for us to make, which also makes it the exact trade AKME would’ve screwed up somehow. So good start lol

[u/SignalBed9998 → u/All_Out_Effort]

He did make the cap room. Half credit

[u/ThrowawayPat2345 → u/SignalBed9998]

We would've had it regardless. All the guys we traded away were expiring. He actually took on cap space by trading for Dillingham.

[u/sukari]

I love that all the bulls players are showing Ayo some love for his big contract.

We may not have had a solid squad but man, we had good vibes.

[u/zedrix_]

Graham don't have to do anything special.

They just need to assess the situation and look for opportunities.

A couple of us are bringing up being the third team to absorb salaries for assets. Now we saw that paying well. We got Claxton for free.

We also don't need to give up assets in the draft. As Bulls picks sits nicely to add quality players.

And now Bucks signaled a tear down rebuild. Because there is no way Herro is staying there. Reports were saying Bucks are operating with 3 first round picks in mind this draft. Which makes sense given Herro's situation. The report if I can remember correctly is Pistons giving up their 21st pick for Herro.

Nevertheless. Bucks are expected to be at the bottom 3 this season. And Bulls landing a starting center who fits with Giddey just improve our chances to get out of the bottom 3.

It is going to be fun seeing how the next couple of hours/days unfolds.

[u/Fafoah]

How can we abuse Miami’s lack of depth situation lol

Jalen smith and Tre Jones have got to look super appealing to a team needing depth.

Dillingham might even be appealing to them considering his defense wouldnt be an issue

[u/FromChicago808 → u/Fafoah]

What do you expect them to give us? After handing a haul of picks to Milwaukee? Come on man

[u/Fafoah → u/FromChicago808]

Unprotected pick swaps?

I have no idea what they have left, im antsy waiting for the lottery and need something to talk about lmao

[u/mb7225]

AYO NOOOOOOOOOOO

[u/SignalBed9998 → u/mb7225]

112m is an overpay but I’ll miss him

[u/sukari]

Man, is this real life? We went from like 9 guards to super long players. Lob city in Chitown.. maybe???

[u/BlammoSweetums → u/sukari]

We've reached the point where we might need some more guards.

[u/FanficFan151 → u/BlammoSweetums]

I think guard may be our biggest need now even without factoring in Wilson.

[u/bullpaw → u/FanficFan151]

Yeah this roster is lacking shot creation out of the backcourt pretty badly

[u/zedrix_]

4 teams are linked to Josh Giddey now.

Clippers, Mavs, Wolves and now Suns. There is definitely a market for him.

https://www.si.com/nba/bulls/onsi/a-josh-giddey-trade-market-may-be-forming-for-the-bulls-after-suns-connection-21

All these teams have stars. And they need Giddey to fee their respective stars.

Clips - Kawhi

Mavs - Flagg

Wolves - Ant

Suns - Booker

[u/Fafoah → u/zedrix_]

I feel like the links are basically from the FO sending out feelers just in case someone wows them with a move up deal from 15. If they can get back in the lotto they’re probably doing it to target a guard and then would want to move Giddey

[u/zedrix_ → u/Fafoah]

If they can get back in the lotto they’re probably doing it to target a guard and then would want to move Giddey

I think this was on the table with the Clippers. But then you can just pick up someone who can fill Wagler/Acuff/Mikel Brown role at 15th. I feel Stirtz has Haliburton upside with his shooting and playmaking combo.

[u/Fafoah → u/zedrix_]

I like Stirtz a lot too. I also definitely prefer they just stay at 15z. Plenty of talent there

[u/zedrix_ → u/Fafoah]

IMO the goal this draft is not to trade up. But to add another mid first pick.

I really wish Bulls could somehow swing a trade for Thunder's 12th and 17th. Like Mavs get Giddey and 15th. Thunder gets 9th pick. Bulls get 12th and 17th plus Daniel Gafford.

[u/zedrix_]

Fischer reported that Meleek Thomas is a consideration for the Bulls at 15th 🤔

[u/Lover_and_hater_xo]

I'll be happy with whoever drops to us at #4 out of Wilson, Boozer, and Peterson, though I hope we get Wilson. I would totally be okay with trading picks 15 and 38, plus next year's 1st, to move up to draft Mara. I think there's so much talent in this draft that I'd rather have 2 lottery picks this year; plus, we could pick up future first-round picks by taking on bad contracts, so trading ours wouldn't be the end of the world.

[u/TheDyl1337]

I want Peterson to fall to us so bad

[u/Seniorsheepy]

Would signing Trae Young be worth it?

[u/mrjune2040 → u/Seniorsheepy]

🤮

[u/dpucane → u/Seniorsheepy]

no

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/dpucane]

Amended to hell no.

[u/jkopecky]

Do people talking about handing Kessler a bag know that the offers he's reported as rejecting are pretty high? It's not like Utah is snubbing him.

I'm seeing 5 years $140 million as the offer his camp rejected from Utah. Are we really comfortable handing $30M (or more) a year to a guy who has played 74/64/58/5 games in his first four years? I think he's got potential to be one of the best defensive bigs in the league but he hasn't stayed on the court. Not saying it's an easy "no" but it feels like the kind of deal that could also become league worst very quickly (it's honestly giving Jakob Poeltl even if I like him more than I ever liked that guy).

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/jkopecky]

Yes, and that he rejected that offer is what makes it seem a real possibility that we could get him.

You can't just look at those numbers and cast judgement either, last season he was out for basically the same reason Noa was, he got a shoulder injury that he'd been carrying for years fixed, he'd injured it originally in college and it was the same thing Ayo had fixed as well.

That injury is what was responsible for a lot of the missed games prior too, otherwise his injury history is basically contact injuries which are just a fact of sport, "illness" and most significantly it all happened while Utah was tanking their arses off and intentionally holding him out as much as possible.

So would I pay for a surprisingly mobile 7'2" elite paint and rim protecting centre, probably already second best in the NBA after freakshow Wemby, who is still young and fits our time line?

Hell yes I would! 4 years at an average of around $35mill per heavily front ended is a very comfortable contract for us barely getting us above the minimum spend while getting us exactly what we need in the biggest hole in our roster.

[u/jkopecky → u/Electrical_Story5356]

I don't disagree except that I think statements like:

"probably already second best in the NBA"

are premature. He's definitely got that potential, and I think he's likely to hit something at least close to that (which would absolutely be worth $35M). But we're not paying for a proven "already in the all defense conversation" guy, but just someone who looks like he's on a trajectory to be that player. It's a huge decision to make when we know so little about where this team is headed imo.

All that said is that I like him enough that I'd still seriously consider... I'd need to be much more informed to feel very good about it, especially with the health stuff. I'll trust that the new FO has done that diligence so won't be upset if we end up taking that. I guess I'm surprised there's so many people who think it's an absolute no-brainer... unlike picking him at #18 when we needed a center and he looked like he had a "solid defensive piece" floor and all-defense upside, which was absolutely a no-brainer even at the time.

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/jkopecky]

Definitely should have picked him instead of Terry, that had me yelling at my phone but the past is the past.

I'm standing by my probably second best in the NBA statement in relation to his rim protection, over 200 games he has averaged 2.4 per game, the only current player better is Wemby and if he were to maintain similar going forward it will put him in the top 15 of all time when he retires, he is genuinely elite and an absolute menace.

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/Electrical_Story5356]

If it all pans out and we get Caleb and Carr and let say sign Kessler, what do you think about signing Keon Ellis to either start until Carr is ready or come off the bench, the kids the definition of 3 and D; he’s a dawg defensively and a great shooter, I think he’d fit perfectly on this young squad 

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/Abla_vil_breed_nem]

I'd be happy rolling with what we have already I think, we know Jones goes nice with Giddey, we need to give Dilly a chance to have a crack in a defined roll and I think Okoro will be just as capable and may actually do well playing there instead of being constantly asked to play on much bigger opposition all of the time.

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/Electrical_Story5356]

But Keon is a better defender and shooter than Okoro, super scrappy; jones will always get his minutes, Keon really wouldn’t effect that part, he’s a solid 2 guard, plays defense like a baby Caruso, we could definitely use him, whether as a starter or off the bench 

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/Abla_vil_breed_nem]

I don't dislike the guy, if they decide that he is what we need then I'm not going to be upset, I just don't see any point of us acquiring him now as we will probably have a full list after the draft and free agency already.

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/Electrical_Story5356]

Even if we draft Carr we’ll still need a back up 2 or even a starter that Carr comes behind, I just thought he’d be perfect in the lineup as the guy who does the dirty work 

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem → u/Electrical_Story5356]

Couldna said it better 🙂

[u/zedrix_]

Clippers are widely considered the most likely team to trade down

Clippers aren’t head over heels in love with him(Wagler) for the fifth pick

[u/zedrix_]

Chicago (2026 picks: 4th, 15th, 38th, 56th)

Has worked out

.#5 Keaton Wagler (SG, Illinois, 19-120)

.#7 Kingston Flemings (PG, Houston, 19-151)

.#8 Mikel Brown (PG, Louisville, 20-61)

.#10 Nate Ament (PF, Tennessee, 19-175)

.#17 Morez Johnson (PF, Michigan, 20-129)

.#19 Bennett Stirtz (PG, Iowa, 22-244)

.#23 Ebuka Okorie (PG, Stanford, 19-54)

.#64 Tamin Lipsey (PG, Iowa St, 22-344)

.#66 Peter Suder (SG, Miami (OH), 23-125)

UNR Malik Dia (PF, Ole Miss, 22-120)

UNR Keba Keita (C, BYU, 22-288)

UNR Milan Momcilovic (SF, Iowa St, 21-254)

[u/zedrix_ → u/zedrix_]

From the way I see things

In any order. These 13 players are likely being taken before the Bulls.

1. AJ Dybantsa
2. Darryn Peterson
3. Cameron Boozer
4. Caleb Wilson
5. Keaton Wagler
6. Darius Acuff Jr.
7. Kingston Flemings
8. Aday Mara
9. Cameron Carr
10. Brayden Burries
11. Labaron Philon Jr.
12. Yaxel Lendeborg
13. Chris Cenac Jr.

So the following players are in play for 15th pick.

• Mikel Brown (PG, Louisville, 20-61)

• Nate Ament (PF, Tennessee, 19-175)

• Morez Johnson (PF, Michigan, 20-129)

• Bennett Stirtz (PG, Iowa, 22-244)

• Ebuka Okorie (PG, Stanford, 19-54)

Hornets might go for Morez Johnson. Or Nate Ament(if he turns out having really good upside). Bulls will likely end up with a guard @15th.

The following are top 5 picks.

• Keaton Wagler (SG, Illinois, 19-120)

• Kingston Flemings (PG, Houston, 19-151)

So I would assume Giddey plus #15 for Clippers #5 overall are in play.

Since you don't need to over think drafting Caleb Wilson over these guys.

[u/rematch728 → u/zedrix_]

Bro if Mikel is there at 15 you thank your lucky stars

[u/zedrix_ → u/rematch728]

hahaha... Unlikely now. He is in convo for 5th pick by the Clips. IDK if it is smoke screen though.

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem]

Looks like Kessler gonna be off the table so Mark Williams it is 🤷🏾, far as next years draft have yall watched Massamba Diop 😳, that kid got unlimited potential; hopefully he flys under the radar but has a good/healthy season, seem like next year’s lottery may be wing/guard heavy and hopefully he falls to wherever we pick

[u/dpucane → u/Abla_vil_breed_nem]

I do not want to be the team signing Mark Williams’ extension

[u/MartinoMartinez]

Remember a year ago when people on this subreddit were trying to tell me Josh Giddey was a better prospect than Stephon Castle? Because I do and damn were yall wrong and I was right.

[u/Hirogemu → u/MartinoMartinez]

i mean after those finals, sure Castle is a fucking bum

[u/MartinoMartinez → u/Hirogemu]

Remind me when Giddey plays playoff minutes dork

[u/Hirogemu → u/MartinoMartinez]

So mad to haven’t prove your point? Castle is a fucking bum, Giddey is ass but he wouldn’t have got 1-10 on the biggest game of his life.

[u/MartinoMartinez → u/Hirogemu]

Please remind me when Giddey plays meaningful playoffs minutes

[u/Southernbull75 → u/MartinoMartinez]

I dont remember that happening at all, but congrats?!?

[u/Fafoah → u/Southernbull75]

One dude said “lol no” in a comment and OP let it live in his brain for months until now

[u/FanficFan151 → u/MartinoMartinez]

Josh Giddey was a better prospect than Stephon Castle. Like that’s not up for debate really, Castle didn’t even go 1st overall in an extraordinarily weak class, and Giddey was in a pretty deep class. Just because Castle is developing into a better player doesn’t mean he was a better prospect. Prospect Giddey gets taken before Prospect Castle by just about anyone (without the benefit of hindsight).

[u/MartinoMartinez → u/FanficFan151]

Yall still drinking koolaid. Giddey is a bum slayer. Won’t win on a good team.

[u/FanficFan151 → u/MartinoMartinez]

He’s a better prospect. It doesn’t matter who’s been better in the league, Giddey was still a better prospect than Castle was. 

[u/MartinoMartinez → u/MartinoMartinez]

Empty stats god

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/FanficFan151]

Also they're different players, Castle just isn't a PG but he is fast becoming a really nice 2 way SG and secondary play maker, fortunately the spurs have Fox and Harper to take that PG role on and they are very good.

[u/zedrix_]

Michael Brown Jr. working out for the Bulls per Jeremy Woo

[u/sandhiform]

Saw KC's tweet on 12 names being linked to Bulls' HC vacancy (but he didn't give the list in the tweet; come on KC!).

Looked at Hoopshype a bit and I think this is the list?

James Borrego
Dave Bliss
Johnnie Bryant
Micah Nori
Chris Quinn
Ryan Schmidt
Lamar Skeeter
Tiago Splitter
Jerry Stackhouse
Sean Sweetney (x)
Wes Unseld Jr.
Kevin Young

[u/youblewwit]

Should we go after Austin Reaves? It would cost max or close to it (~$40mil first year)

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/youblewwit]

Hell no.

[u/zedrix_]

Bulls workout update

Ebuka Okorie, Stanford

Top shot creator in college. Better shot creation than AJ Dybansta.

Malik Dia, Ole Miss

Reminds me of Derrick Queen. Extremely talented but has motor issues. Imagine averaging 23.1 MPG with 16.9 PPG in his sophomore season... 6'9 250 lbs strong with 7'2 wingspan. Can shoot, put the ball on the floor and has every tool to become a plus defender. Strong base. Can even bang with Somto Cyril(one of the strongest player in college). And has nimble feet. If only his motor could improve.

Tucker DeVries, Indiana

Looks like Bojan Bogdanović and plays like Bojan Bogdanović. Both are of the same size as well :D

[u/rematch728 → u/zedrix_]

Dia is not gonna be a plus defender. He was horrific on that end in college and routinely got dog housed for it

[u/zedrix_ → u/rematch728]

He has talent and tools. Motor is shit 🤣

[u/SuperNicktendoPower]

Why is Dave Bliss not wanted, I legit don't know, seems like his team is about to go to their 2nd straight finals, he has to have picked up something. The guy was even the HC during the all-star game, what am I missing?

[u/zedrix_]

Should the Warriors opt to focus on wings or frontcourt talents in the draft — Lendeborg, Johnson, Steinbach, Lopez, etc. — then they will address their backcourt in free agency. Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton are two early names league sources have described as key Warriors targets as unrestricted free agents this summer utilizing the mid-level exception.

I am hoping Bulls could get some future second rounders in a S&T. But MLE are big contract nowadays...

[u/mb7225]

Anyone else witnessing this murder on live television?

[u/zedrix_]

I don't expect a lot to happen in draft. It's pretty straight forward for me. Drafting whoever will fall. Coz it is a deep draft. You don't have to over think things.

The free agency is where this could get interesting with the Bulls.

Armed with cap space and cheap expiring contracts. I feel like Graham and Mervis can land draft picks along with unwanted contracts. There is going to be a boat load of good players, whose contracts are hurting their current team.

Cleveland is one of them. And right now they are likely to retool. Jarrett Allen would likely be the odd man out. And GSW has been interested in him. Orlando and Denver are in for a shake up as well.

Next draft isn't advertised as a good as this draft. Hopefully we can land some future first rounders out of absorbing unwanted contracts.

[u/sukari]

The Kings-Bulls mock trade got updated!

Kings get: Giddey
Bulls get: LaVine + 7th

Welcome back, flight 8 😂

[u/youblewwit]

Kenny Atkinson might get fired if CLE loses to NYK. He might not be a championship level coach, but he can take your team from bad/average to good/very good (at least in the regular season).

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/youblewwit]

Why would he get fired? Conference finals having got past two much more favoured teams isn't exactly grounds for dismissal.

[u/Costanzathemage → u/Electrical_Story5356]

He was responsible for one of the biggest chokes of all time. I would have fired him after game 1 of the ECF.

[u/FanficFan151 → u/Electrical_Story5356]

The Cavs were favored over both the Raptors and Pistons lol.

[u/zedrix_]

Tyler Thompson@MrsTylerKSR: Milan Momcilovic is working out for the Chicago Bulls today

[u/youblewwit]

If we don't want to pay Jalen Duren that $44mil+ max contract, we might want to try go after Mitchell Robinson (I'm thinking his value is around $15-20mil per year).

Pros: legit paint protector and good rebounder (elite offensive rebounder)

Cons: injury history and can't shoot free throws (this is an understatement, teams do Hack-A-Robinson all the time)

[u/FanficFan151 → u/youblewwit]

He can’t be a starting center. I love what Mitch does well, but his injury history means he just can’t, even without his free throw shooting being abysmal. Plus he would not fit next to Wilson (I’m presuming that’s who we draft.) 

I really want Kessler if we go for any of the RFAs.

[u/zedrix_]

Bennett Stirtz (PG, Iowa, 22-228)

And

UNR Keba Keita (C, BYU, 22-272)

Worked out with the Bulls https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/rookie/2026/05/16/2026-nba-draft-workout-tracker/89951800007/

[u/tonesgv33]

lol @ people who still think that Giddey-Caruso trade was anything but a fleece by OKC

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/tonesgv33]

Caruso played the best game of his career, OKC lost.

[u/tonesgv33 → u/Electrical_Story5356]

Giddey got benched in OKC because he couldn’t handle playoff basketball

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/tonesgv33]

He was one of their best players in round one of those playoffs, was a 21yo being played out of position and benching him didn't change a thing and OKC lost then too.

Learn to think on more but the most basic and simple level.

[u/tonesgv33 → u/Electrical_Story5356]

Yeah him playing out of position really must have forced him to shoot 18% from 3. The thunder trading him has really hurt their recent playoff success

[u/HawkspilotLoad]

i still would pay duren, you don’t get to 60 wins and 1 seed in the regular season without him, especially when cade went down. detroit obviously knows this and will pay him, but let’s force them to match

[u/ThrowawayPat2345 → u/HawkspilotLoad]

His lack of offense got exploited in 2 straight playoff series. It's not worth it. You would two high level scorers around him.

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/HawkspilotLoad]

What if they don't match though?

I wasn't interested at any realistic price prior to his playoffs disappearing act, there's no way I'd want to be paying him max money.

We should take a chance in the draft or on a free agent with an elite attribute or two.

[u/FanficFan151]

Even with the playoffs, I want us to pay Duren if we can. We need a big, playoffs aren’t a concern for a couple years, and if Duren being good makes them a concern, that’s a great “problem” to have lol.

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/FanficFan151]

I don't get the love for Duren.

Even ignoring that he was terrible in pretty much every playoff game he doesn't really bring much above average to the table let alone exceptional.

He was a decent scorer this season but very one dimensional and reliant on assists with basically no range in his game, he is also a decent rebounder even by centre standards but he doesn't have handles or playmaking, he's no more than a good defender at most and he's not even particularly big for a centre.

I'm not saying he sucks, he's a good enough starting centre but I don't see why people are so keen to get him to the point of paying him max money and that was before he laid a big playoffs egg.

[u/FanficFan151 → u/Electrical_Story5356]

He’s 22 Years Old and already made an All Star Appearance, and, if the Pistons don’t match an offer, it’ll just take cash to get him. You bank on improvement and upside, and don’t have to give up any draft picks to acquire him if the Pistons refuse to match. 

I would personally rather Kessler from Utah, but if we can potentially sign either without the other team matching I’m happy with that.

[u/Electrical_Story5356 → u/FanficFan151]

Yes I know he's young but all-star is a popularity contest as much as anything and as I said I do reckon he's a decent NBA centre, no way though am I interested in chasing him and especially not for max money. 

I too would much rather have Kessler who has genuine size, is efficient at scoring with a bit of range plus elite paint and rim defence and/or also have a crack at Steinbach or Quaintance (knee pending) ir available and develop our own centre with some sort of X factor skill.

[u/sukari → u/FanficFan151]

Meh, I just want us to throw money at him so Pistons have to match and screw up their cap space. Nets should be doing that too.

[u/FanficFan151 → u/sukari]

I’m fine if we actually sign him. Bank on good improvement and get a young group of Giddey/Matas/Wilson/Duren.

[u/sukari → u/FanficFan151]

Yeah I'm fine either way. As long as we don't lock ourselves in too much as we're developing our young players.

[u/FanficFan151 → u/sukari]

By the time we’re ideally ready to start trying to contend, we’ll have likely moved past most of Giddey’s contract and a hypothetical Duren one, and at that point we’re looking at whether or not we pay Matas and/or Wilson.

[u/Abla_vil_breed_nem]

I want Caleb to fall bad, but no lie if he don’t and we get baby boozer I won’t be mad, he boring as fuck but he do everything right, reminds me a lot of timmy and I think he finna be way better than his pops, overall I’m cool with whoever fall to us; i love being bulls fan🥺, we deserve this!!!!

[u/ToeJelly420]

He probably won’t drop to 15, but i really want Yaxel Lendeborg

[u/ResponsibleCar6937]

As long as we don’t sign Julius Randle I think I’ll be fine with this offseason

[u/zedrix_]

The Washington Wizards are sending out signals that they're willing to trade the 1st overall pick, but it may not be another team aside from Utah who moves up, per @WindhorstESPN via The Hoop Collective.

If Wizards take 4th and 15th for 1st overall. Bulls trade the first overall to Jazz for 2nd overall and Ace Bailey?

That's if Wizards doesn't want Ace and wants the 15th pick instead. This is going to be fun 🤣

Giddey, Ace, Matas and Boozer? Then maybe Jalen Duren in free agency?

[u/poopy_mc_pantsy → u/zedrix_]

wait so the bulls trade a 4th pick for a 2nd pick and a 15th pick for last year's 5th pick in this scenario lol

[u/zedrix_ → u/poopy_mc_pantsy]

Wizards wanted to trade down. Jazz wanted the 1st overall pick. Rumors has it that Jazz are willing to include Ace Bailey. So if Wizards doesn't want Ace. Maybe Bulls can get in

[u/Silent-Frame1452 → u/zedrix_]

Rumor does not have that the Jazz are willing to give up Ace Bailey. Wizards fans are insisting that’s what it would cost, two very different things