For now, there’s a mix of emotions surrounding the Chicago Bulls’ flurry of trades. Excitement, shortsightedness, and relief all come to mind.
Bulls’ flurry of trades sparks mixed emotions
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Excitement comes first because, well, the Bulls are finally making moves, and they’re not bad ones. Chicago acquired 23-year-old slashing guard Jaden Ivey in exchange for Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić, both of whom were on expiring contracts. Šarić hadn’t even suited up for the Bulls after being acquired just days earlier. Soon after, Chicago moved Nikola Vučević, bringing back Anfernee Simons and a [tantalizing second-round pick](https://pippenainteasy.com/best-piece-bulls-nikola-vucevic-trade-take-court-next-season-pelicans-draft-pick) in return.
Still, there’s a fair amount of shortsightedness when looking at the roster as it now stands. Ivey, guard. Mike Conley Jr., guard. Simons, guard. None of them fit the wing archetype either; all stand 6-foot-3 or shorter. That said, the overlap may not be as problematic as it appears. Ivey projects as a potential [Coby White replacement](https://pippenainteasy.com/bulls-biggest-loser-jaden-ivey-trade-impossible-ignore-coby-white), Conley Jr. is widely expected to be bought out, and Simons… well, his future is less clear. Interestingly enough, he may also be the best of the three newcomers to arrive in the Windy City.
Then there’s relief. For the first time in a while, things feel like they’re moving in the right direction. The Bulls aren’t standing pat—they’re acting. That initial excitement naturally turns into relief. Chicago is finally showing a willingness to engage, and it feels like there could be more to come.
But that relief runs deeper than just activity. For years, the Bulls’ Vice President of Basketball Operations has routinely ended up on the wrong side of trades. That perception, however, may finally be starting to change—especially when considering the Ivey deal.
Breaking down the trades
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Diving deeper into the trade that set off the pandemonium, Chicago acquired Ivey from Detroit and Conley Jr. from Minnesota. Ivey, in particular, arrives with the clear intention of being a replacement. He fits Artūras Karnišovas’ preference for “young players with experience” and, more conveniently, should slide seamlessly into Billy Donovan’s space-and-pace offense.
Minnesota’s decision to trade Conley Jr., only to receive cash considerations in return, is _insert Brian Windhorst gif_. There’s more to come, especially considering the Wolves also sent a 2026 first-round pick swap to Detroit—a move that likely drops Minnesota a few spots, given the Pistons’ standing as the East’s best team.
But Detroit is the team that made the most interesting decision. Moving up a few slots in the draft is nice, sure, but acquiring Kevin Huerter and Dario Šarić is… eh. Huerter is a quality player, and Detroit clearly brought in the 6-foot-6 wing to address its lackluster shooting. The Pistons rank 27th in three-point makes and 20th in three-point percentage. In theory, it’s a sensible addition. The reality, however, may not be so simple.
Huerter’s declining metrics and contract concerns
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Huerter was a knockdown marksman. Key word: was. He hasn’t shot over 34.0 percent from three-point range since the 2023–24 season. Since then, he’s hit 33.8 percent, and he’s knocking down just 31.8 percent this season. There was a slight bump in efficiency during his 26-game stint with the Bulls in the latter part of the 2024–25 season, but beyond that blip, Huerter hasn’t shot well from deep in three years.
Aside from Huerter’s declining shooting metrics, his contract is another sticking point. While his $16.8 million salary cap hit isn’t especially concerning, the fact that it’s a one-year deal is. Detroit essentially traded Jaden Ivey, a former fifth-overall pick, albeit a reserve this season, for what amounts to a potential half-season rental in Huerter and Šarić, who could be bought out.
Huerter is a solid, all-around player, but the Pistons desperately needed shooting, and he may not provide it at an above-average clip. By comparison, Ivey is hitting threes at a 37.2 percent rate this season, is four years younger, and still has a year left on his contract as a restricted free agent. On those terms alone, the Bulls clearly fleeced Detroit in this swap.