It's fair to say that the Chicago Bulls trade deadline was active but disappointing. They did, however, pull off some shrewd deals that could accelerate the coming rebuild if the front office uses them correctly.
These next steps are critical: Use draft assets wisely, spend big on the right restricted free agent(s), and build the future around the right core.
Bulls Executive VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas put the franchise behind the eight-ball. He waited too long to trade Nikola Vucevic. He failed to trade Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu at their peak values. His deadline decisions made Chicago's roster even more unbalanced, with eight guards and only one available center.
But the Bulls are now stocked with draft picks and flexibility, which gives Karnisovas a chance at a relatively quick makeover -- if he uses those assets correctly.
Bulls' next moves will determine the franchise's future
If Chicago goes three for three in the following categories, it'll have a good chance at making a postseason run in the next handful of seasons.
Use draft assets judiciously
Through all his wheelings and dealings, questionable or otherwise, Karnisovas has stockpiled draft picks after making seven trades before the 2 p.m. CT deadline on Feb. 5. Chicago has eight first-round picks -- and potentially another -- and 13 second-round picks between now and 2032.
The obvious point to make here is that the Bulls need to hit on most of those selections, but the sheer number of them allows Chicago some wiggle room.
If that eighth and final first-rounder courtesy of the Portland Trail Blazers conveys in this summer's draft, the Bulls could own three of the top 32 selections in a deep and talented 2026 class -- a fact that's being mostly ignored.
And along with a horde of picks like this always comes the opportunity to move up in the draft if there's a specific prospect the front office is high on.
Hit on at least one major restricted free agent
Having a ton of cap space doesn't matter if you can't use it, and this offseason's crop of unrestricted free agents isn't alluring. The restricted free agency group, however, has some talent.
Walker Kessler, Austin Reaves, Jalen Duren, Bennedict Mathurin, Peyton Watson and Tari Eason will all be available for the Bulls. Those players' respective teams can match any offer Chicago throws their way, but Karnisovas has enough cash at his disposal to go all-in on the right one.
The Bulls need to use the money they have wisely, because it won't be there forever.
Make the right decisions on their own free agents
White, Dosunmu and Vucevic were unrestricted free agents on Chicago's ledger before they left the Windy City, but Karnisovas didn't acquire any long-term salaries in their place.
Jaden Ivey will likely sign a long-term deal to stay in Chicago, but Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton and Guerschon Yabusele will all hit the open market this offseason.
An argument can be made for penning Simons to a new contract. Yabusele has quickly shown the impact he can make in the right situation.
Finding the right players to keep at the core of this roster alongside Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue is a necessity for Karnisovas if he wants to build a contender.
This week's flurry of moves is just the beginning of what's coming for Chicago. If the organization makes the right decisions, the Bulls could have a bright future for the first time in a decade.