The NBA is built on two currencies: talent and future picks. Most teams chase stars by trading away draft assets. But the Chicago Bulls? They’ve quietly kept theirs—a deep stash of first-rounders stretching well into the early 2030s. That’s not hoarding—that’s optionality. And with the current roster at a crossroads, that optionality might be precisely what Chicago needs to stop flirting with mediocrity.
Other franchises package picks plus players to chase immediate upgrades, the Bulls have repeatedly favoured lesser assets or held firm—ensuring control over their future choices. That preservation gives them leverage: when teams panic-trade or overpay with picks, Chicago can offer bodies, salaries, and a clear path to minutes—no first-round collateral dumped.
It’s unconventional, yes—but right now, that’s a strength.
Chicago isn’t rebuilding from scratch. They have a young core, upside players, speed on offense—but a glaring defensive void. They don’t need a “win-now” blockbuster that costs years of draft capital. They need smart upgrades: versatile defenders, switchable wings, athletic bigs, and players aligned with a defense, pace, and upside type of blueprint. With their pick trove intact—while other teams have already spent theirs—the Bulls carry bargaining chips few others possess.
The value of an untouched war chest: Unpacking the stepien advantage
Why does owning every single future first-round pick matter so much in the modern NBA? The answer lies in the Ted Stepien Rule (even though giant loopholes exist). This rule prevents teams from trading away their first-round picks in consecutive years. Because the Bulls owe no picks to other teams, they can theoretically trade any unprotected first-round pick in any future year.
This freedom is unique leverage. Most rival teams are restricted by picks they owe (e.g., to the Spurs, Thunder, or Pelicans), leaving them unable to offer consecutive first-rounders. This means the Bulls can instantly create the most valuable and voluminous trade offer in the league for a star player, bypassing competitive offers that are hampered by "pick protections" (like top-10 protected). The Bulls' picks are clean, making them easier for a trade partner to value and accept.
Player archetypes Chicago can attract
Here are examples of player-types for whom Chicago’s structure could be attractive. They should be roughly 22–28 years old, have defensive or athletic upside, and could thrive playing for a team oriented toward youth, versatility, and scheme fit:
- Herb Jones-type wing. Elite perimeter defender, switchable on 1–4, capable 3-point shooter—fills a defensive-identity void. Defined role, plus a chance to build around the youth core.
- Rim-protecting young center/stretch-5. An athletic big who can protect the rim, rebound, and run—solves interior defense and glass issues. Stable frontcourt minutes + Bulls’ pace-oriented offense.
- Switchable forward (6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10) 3-and-D. Combines size, shooting, and defensive versatility—ideal in modern switch-heavy NBA lineups. A starting or rotation role on a young, ascending roster.
- Young forward with rim-running/hustle upside. Athletic, long, fast—potential to thrive in high-pace, transition-first schemes.A blank canvas to grow in a stable, well-structured environment.
- Defensive-minded small-ball big. Fits today’s small-ball trends—can guard, switch, hit open threes, offer spacing, and rim deterrence. Opportunity to resurrect and value-maximize a skill set with upside.
- Undervalued rotation wing from a soft-cap team. Cheap, motivated, and potentially bounce-back oriented—might embrace the Bulls’ opportunity. A chance for rotation minutes, stability, and a platform to prove themselves.
Now, imagine adding a player who brings defensive identity and versatility—someone who can provide a steady defensive presence. That's the balance this roster needs at the moment, which would fit with their speed and firepower rather than forcing them to choose between offense and defense.
There’s another benefit too: this pick-stockpile makes Chicago an attractive partner for mid-market or cash-strapped teams. Teams that value picks—or need to shed salary—may find the Bulls’ offer more enticing, because they can offer rotation-worthy players or manageable contracts in exchange for picks. That tends to make trade negotiations smoother and more appealing for all sides.
This could be Chicago’s edge
While most of the NBA is gambling with their future, the Bulls are quietly sitting on it. That optionality might not pay off every year, but when the moment comes to strike for a high-ceiling wing or switchable big, Chicago could be the only team in the room offering real value without mortgaging tomorrow. This isn’t about hoarding. It’s about having choices. And in a league where so many rush into desperation trades, having choices might be the most underrated advantage of all.