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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - SEPTEMBER 29: Bennedict Mathurin #00 of the Indiana Pacers poses for photos during Media Day at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on September 29, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Chicago Bulls are a team that has been stuck in the middle. Over the last few seasons, they have been hovering around the play-in, without much success. They have made the playoffs just once in the last nine years and were bounced in the first round.
Right now, they sit ninth in the Eastern Conference standings. That’s why they could do anything at the trade deadline. They could decide to finally start a rebuild, or they can keep trying to win. The Bulls don’t have much of a history of trying to go for a full rebuild.
A crazy four-team trade proposal from Bleacher Report would see the Bulls land an exciting young forward and a couple of centers to help them win now.
GettyIndiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin shoots the ball. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Bulls Land Young Forward in Wild Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade proposal:
Bulls get:
Pacers get:
Pelicans get:
Jarace Walker (from Pacers)
Dante Exum (from Mavericks)
$8 million trade exception (Kevon Looney)
$3.4 million trade exception (Yves Missi)
2026 protected first-rounder (from Bulls)
Mavericks get:
Dalen Terry (from Chicago)
$9 million trade exception (Daniel Gafford)
$2.3 million trade exception (Dante Exum)
2026 protected first-rounder (from Portland Trail Blazers, via Bulls)
Bringing Mathurin in would give them a true scorer at the small forward position. He can play shooting guard, as well. Chicago would have to give him a contract extension in the offseason to make it worthwhile, but they need more players who can score.
Right now, Chicago has the 14th-best offense in the league. Adding players who can help them score would make them a more compelling playoff team. Bringing in Missi would give them a great backup center who can protect the rim to improve their defense, which would help them improve their playoff odds, as well.
GettyChicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic dribbles the ball. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
The Bulls Are a Team to Watch at the Trade Deadline
Chicago is a team to watch in the Eastern Conference when the deadline approaches in a couple of weeks. Because they are a team stuck in the middle, they can go in either direction, and it would make sense. They are more likely to be buyers than sellers, though.
Adding good, young players who are able to contribute right now would be the best of both worlds for the Bulls. In order to land those kinds of players, they have to be willing to part ways with some key draft capital. That is something Chicago has been willing to do in the past.
Chicago sits just a game and a half behind the 76ers for the sixth spot in the East. That would indicate that the Bulls might try to make the playoffs this year instead of starting a rebuild to finally get out of the middle of the standings.