The Chicago Bulls made an absolute steal of a move when they swung on Nic Claxton this offseason, simply absorbing him into their salary cap as a third party in the move that led Julius Randle to the Brooklyn Nets.
With Nick Richards entering free agency, the Bulls had a major vacancy at the position. Claxton, who averaged 11.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 57.1% from the field last season, should fill that role admirably. He still has a lot to prove playing outside of a pure tanking context, but he should have the speed and the offensive acumen to fit into Chicago's fast-break offense under Tiago Splitter.
But the advantages in his acquisition don't stop there. Claxton's contract is set up to decrease over each of the next two seasons. He'll make $23 million this season and just $21 million in 2027-28. If the Bulls are able to find a capable replacement, he could be dangled on the market as a trade asset as soon as next offseason— although the trade deadline in 2027-28 feels like a much more likely date.
Chicago doesn't currently have a long-term center in the mix, though. While Claxton and Zach Collins are strong temporary options at the position, finding a big man in the draft or via trade could grant them the flexibility they need to retrieve draft capital for Claxton when the time comes.
The Bulls don't need to think about moving on from Claxton immediately— but they need a long-term plan at the position
As mentioned above, the Claxton trade was the perfect option for the Bulls in the short-term. He has the two-way abilities and the veteran experience to help raise the floor of this roster as the organization attempts to re-focus their efforts around Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis.
Claxton is only 27, and if he proves himself this season in Chicago, there's a chance they're willing to extend him beyond the duration of his current contract. Especially if they're selecting near the top of the draft in 2027, they may ultimately be better off seeking out an additional wing or a point guard to help solidify their depth in the backcourt.
But if Claxton's best days are indeed behind him, the priority must shift to the center position.
Both Motiejus Krivas out of Arizona and Patrick Ngongba II out of Duke should be lottery picks in next year's draft. Krivas has the height and the defensive impact to be an immediate difference-maker at the NBA level, having averaged 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists and playing a key role for one of the country's elite defenses in 2025-26. Ngongba, for his part, doesn't seem to have the same immediate upside, but another major leap during his junior campaign could quickly put him on the same footing as Krivas by the time we arrive at the 2027 NBA Draft.
Granted, it's not a ridiculously strong center class, and the Bulls shouldn't force the positional need if a potential fit isn't there in their draft range.
But they should be looking to retrieve draft capital wherever it's possible over the next couple of seasons, and if Claxton is able to find his footing again as a scorer and a rim protector, he could be a major asset for them on the trade market.
Before they can even consider that, though, they need to have the future of the position sorted out, and Claxton's contract makes that an even more enticing opportunity if the right prospect presents himself.
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