Are the Chicago Bulls suddenly the most intriguing team ahead of the trade deadline? Maybe not—at least not if Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks have a say. Still, regardless of what happens with Giannis, the Bulls remain a team worth watching.
Bulls face key roster decisions
Chicago has seven players on expiring contracts, and with several unlikely to return, many could be moved ahead of the trade deadline. The contract situation adds another layer of complexity: do the Bulls try to re-sign some for hefty extensions, trade them for value, or let them walk for nothing? It’s a tricky predicament for the front office.
Above all, the re-signing decisions center on two players: Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White. Dosunmu is making $7.5 million this season, while White earns $12.8 million. Both are expected to command significant raises in the offseason. Dosunmu could seek a deal in the $15–20 million range, while White’s contract could approach $30 million per year.
Ayo Dosunmu or Coby White?
So, why not just re-sign Dosunmu and trade White? That’s easier said than done. White has long been considered the better player, though the gap may not be as wide as perceived. Still, White’s dynamic offensive abilities make him highly desirable. He’s averaging 19.0 points and 2.7 three-pointers per game this season, while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from deep. He’s also dishing out 4.7 assists per contest.
Dosunmu is putting up career-high numbers of his own, averaging 14.5 points per game while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor and 45.3 percent from long range. While he may be a better defender than White, Dosunmu doesn’t provide the same dynamic offensive punch, which lowers his ceiling.
That might be exactly what the Bulls want moving forward, at least according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. Via the Stein Line, Fischer reported that the Bulls are confident in Dosunmu as a complementary piece alongside Josh Giddey, value his status as a Chicago native, and appreciate how well he meshes with the coaching staff.
Moreover, it’s worth emphasizing that Chicago views him as a better complementary piece both on and off the court. The Bulls have already committed $100 million to Giddey, so giving White another $100–150 million would put the franchise in a potentially compromising position moving forward.
Consequently, trading White and re-signing Dosunmu might be the right move, but again, it’s easier said than done. Any team acquiring White would have to give up assets and then commit to that hefty contract. Still, he could be worth it in the right situation.
Trade deadline implications
If the Bulls have already decided that Dosunmu is the best fit moving forward, trading White ahead of the deadline makes the most sense. But unlike years past, they can’t afford to be picky—Chicago should look to move White to the highest bidder.
Losing White in unrestricted free agency would be the worst outcome, but signing him to a crippling long-term contract isn’t much better. Could a Giddey-White backcourt realistically make the Bulls contenders? Probably not.
Ultimately, the Bulls face a delicate balancing act. Dosunmu represents a reliable, complementary piece with hometown ties, while White offers dynamic scoring that comes with a hefty price tag. Still, White’s looming contract situation makes a trade all but inevitable. At the end of the day, it comes down to finances. The Bulls can’t commit an exorbitant sum to White after already doing so with Giddey.