The Chicago Bulls are heading into next season with a chance to reshape their roster around Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis. But they are in the very early stages. So, next season, they could sell off some of their assets in an attempt to add more draft picks or young players. Almost no one on the roster will be safe from trade conversations.
Chicago isn’t trading Wilson. The Bulls almost certainly aren’t going to trade Buzelis, either. But who else could be moved? What players on the Bulls’ roster are most likely to be shipped out next season? Some may be more valuable, and some expiring contracts may pique the interest of some teams around the NBA. They need to explore trades in order to help Wilson (and Buzelis) moving forward.
With that in mind, which players are the most likely to be traded by the Bulls next season? Let’s take a look at five. All five of these guys could potentially be traded by the Bulls next season, and Chicago needs to consider the options to help build a better future for Wilson.
Bulls players most likely to be traded: 1. Jalen Smith
This has nothing to do with Jalen Smith as a player. He’s a quality player. He’d make a great backup center. That, plus the fact that he’s on an expiring contract, is what makes him a perfect trade candidate.
Teams around the league could be very willing to trade for Smith at the deadline. He can play the four and five, and he doesn’t make that much money ($9.4 million).
2. Tre Jones
Though Tre Jones isn’t on an expiring contract, he has a team option for the 2027-28 season. So, in a way, that’s even more valuable than an expiring contract.
Jones is pretty underrated at this point. He’s a great ball-handler, an impressive playmaker, and great at getting to the rim. Plus, his $8 million is very consumable.
3. Norman Powell
Despite having just signed Norman Powell, he’s on a very tradable contract. Powell will make $21.5 million this season and has a $22.8 million team option for 2027-28.
He was on the brink of being an All-Star last season for the Miami Heat, and in the right situation, his scoring could seriously help a contending team.
4. Nicolas Claxton
Similar to Powell, Nicolas Claxton is on a pretty good contract, though his 2027-28 season isn’t a team option. Still, he’ll make just $23.3 million this year and $21.1 million the year after.
It seems more likely that Chicago keeps him through the end of the season, but if Claxton plays well enough, there’s a non-zero chance it could capitalize on his value.
5. Isaac Okoro
Up to this point in his career, Isaac Okoro hasn’t really made a name for himself. He’s a negative on offense, but with a $11.8 million contract, a team could trade for him to be a defensive specialist.
If it doesn’t work out, they could just let him walk. Okoro being on an expiring contract makes him a pretty good candidate to be moved.
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