One would think the Chicago Bulls are in no position to turn down a two-time NBA MVP, but they reportedly did. Amid a 9-12 season, Chicago has several issues to fix, starting with its defensive fragility.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was in the news again this week after NBA insider Shams Charania reported the big man, his agent, and the Milwaukee Bucks met to discuss Antetokounmpo's future with the franchise. The possibility of landing Antetokounmpo should be enticing for the other 29 teams in the association, but the Bulls reportedly weren't part of that group.
Bulls reportedly rejected a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
Hours before Brian Windhorst mentioned the New York Knicks as a potential landing spot for Antetokounmpo, long-time local sports reporter Lou Canellis shared a shocking update on whether the Bulls would pursue a move for Antetokounmpo on Fox 32 Chicago.
Antetokounmpo's camp reached out to Chicago to explore trade options, but the six-time NBA champions rejected the idea.
“I can tell you that Giannis and his representatives reached out to the Bulls about a potential deal, but the Bulls said they were not interested," Canellis said. "They were not interested in breaking up their young core or changing their course of direction that they have laid out with AK and Marc Eversley right now."
"Maybe things have changed with the latest report from ESPN about maybe the Bulls kicking the tires on Anthony Davis. I can tell you this for a fact, a few months ago. Giannis wanted to be traded.”
The Bulls have been linked to a move for Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis, who is a Chicago native, but the team's reluctance to move on from its young pieces has become an issue. Jamal Collier of ESPN reported on Monday that not even the prospect of landing Davis would change the front office's mind.
"I don't think going out and chasing X megastar is the way to proceed—at least today," one source told ESPN.
Antetokounmpo is a proven winner who can impact the game on both ends of the ball. He is not as fragile as Anthony Davis and can elevate his team with his presence. He is averaging 28.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 6.1 assists per game, while shooting 63.9 percent from the field in the 2025-26 season.
A potential partnership with Josh Giddey would do wonders for Antetokounmpo, but for now, the competition to land him will surely be fierce following his so-called trade request.