Chicago Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham nailed his first offseason in charge, drafting Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain while shrewdly acquiring veterans Norman Powell and Nic Claxton. Those A+ moves should make one veteran obviously expendable: Issac Okoro.
Chicago's old regime landed Okoro in a trade that sent Lonzo Ball to Cleveland, the thinking being that Ball was an injury-prone veteran who wouldn't earn minutes behind Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu.
Okoro, on the other hand, filled a need as a wing defender on a roster starved for defenders of any kind.
Things didn't work out. The former Auburn standout started 62 games last season but averaged just 9.3 points while shooting 33.0 percent from 3-point range; a 3-and-D wing with no three.
Given the moves Graham has made over the last few months, Okoro is a clear odd man out.
The Bulls' recent moves have made Isaac Okoro expendable
Wilson, the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, will presumably soak up most of his minutes at power forward. Swain, the No. 15 selection, should do the same on the wing.
Both rookies, however, are capable of moving up and down the positional spectrum. Wilson can play the three, four or five spots. Swain can play the two, three or four.
After spending most of his first two seasons at power forward, Matas Buzelis will finally get a chance to play his more natural position as a jumbo wing. Norman Powell will slot in as the team's main two-guard.
Graham acquired Nic Claxton in a pre-draft trade with the Brooklyn Nets and re-signed reserve big man Zach Collins. Those two should hold down the fort at center, as long as they're healthy.
Josh Giddey and Tre Jones will spend most of their time at point guard. Jalen Smith is a more natural fit as a power forward but has spent plenty of his career as a small-ball five. Noa Essengue and Leonard Miller should get developmental minutes on a rebuilding team. And the untradeable Patrick Williams will be around.
That's 11 players — 12 if you count Williams — who either could or should play a bigger role than Okoro.
The 25-year-old is on an expiring contract. He'll be at least somewhat attractive to contending teams as a strong wing defender capable of guarding multiple positions. And the Bulls likely wouldn't ask for much in a trade.
It's time for both Okoro and Chicago to move on.
Add us as a preferred source on Google