The Chicago Bulls have the chance to wheel and deal to acquire more selections in the 2025 NBA Draft, according to recent intel.
Chicago desperately needs to upgrade one of the NBA's worst defenses this offseason. Coach Billy Donovan's team allowed the third-most points in the league in 2024-25 and the most points in the paint. Re-signing point guard Josh Giddey wouldn't make the Bulls any better on that end of the floor, and there are reportedly questions within the organization about the long-term viability of a Giddey-Coby White backcourt strictly because of its defensive liabilities.
Nikola Vucevic isn't a defensive anchor on the interior. Nor are Zach Collins, Jalen Smith, Patrick Williams or Matas Buzelis. Julian Phillips and Dalen Terry are Chicago's best options to develop into true 3-and-D wings, but neither has even secured a legitimate spot in the rotation. Lonzo Ball and Ayo Dosunmu each carry significant question marks.
Chicago needs to plug leaks at all three levels of its defense. That could be realistically attainable in this year's draft if recent reports are true.
Bulls could acquire more 2025 NBA Draft picks from Magic, Thunder, Nets
According to Jake Fischer via The Stein Line substack, the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets, each of whom have multiple first-round picks in this year's draft, are looking to package those selections and move into the back half of the lottery.
Armed with the No. 12 pick, Chicago's front office now has a dream scenario staring it right in the face.
As Fischer points out, the Thunder don't have room on their roster to add two rookies. The Magic, who own picks 16 and 25, and the Nets, who own selections 19, 26 and 27, could be eyeing a similar move to consolidate and move into the lottery.
The Bulls, meanwhile, are miles away from making a playoff push with their roster as currently constructed. Any player Chicago adds with the 12th pick won't be that level of a difference-maker.
But the Bulls can take multiple bites at the apple, so to speak, if they have multiple first-round selections. Wings like Cedric Coward and Drake Powell could still be on the board if Chicago drops back a few spots. Other defensive-minded players, such as Adou Thiero, Noah Penda, Thomas Sorber and Noa Essengue, could also be options in the mid-to-late first round.
The team could add a pair of prospects from that group rather than one. Two strong on-ball defenders like Powell and Thiero would drastically help the Bulls at the point of attack. A big man like Sorber could roam the paint and help prevent Chicago from bleeding points at the rim.
It makes too much sense for VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas and the franchise's decision-makers not to phone OKC, Orlando and Brooklyn to discuss a possible move, either before or on draft night.