Underwhelming trade deadline continues trend of frustration from Arturas Karnisovas

As the 2025 NBA trade deadline passed on Thursday afternoon, the Chicago Bulls only made one move.

Moving Zach LaVine as part of the three-team deal that saw De'Aaron Fox go to the San Antonio Spurs and LaVine go to the Sacramento Kings, the Bulls only received a trio of role players back, in addition to getting their own 2025 first-round pick back from the Spurs.

While it was shocking to see LaVine be moved from the Bulls, it was more shocking to see the organization hold on to center Nikola Vucevic. The big man had a strong start to the season, looking like an All-Star, but saw his numbers come back down to Earth by the trade deadline.

Vucevic had been linked to several teams, most notably the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers. In the second year of his three-year, $60 million deal, the 2024-25 season would've allowed the Bulls to sell high on Vucevic, giving teams a big man for a season and a half.

Now, moving on from their top scorer in addition to other players in the last year, the Bulls have made questionable moves. Going back to last season, the Bulls have traded Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder, DeMar DeRozan to the Kings and now Zach Lavine to the Kings.

Bulls continue to act as one of NBA's most disappointing franchises

The Bulls have gotten very little in return for arguably three of their best players in recent memory. The team did not receive a single draft pick that wasn't their own, something that has only frustrated Bulls Nation.

When asked during media availability if the team received any other offers of first-round picks for LaVine besides their own back from the Spurs, Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas declined to comment, saying he would not go into detail.

To the credit of the organization, the Bulls chose to extend guard Lonzo Ball to a two-year, $20 million deal. Given his play since his return in October and what a healthy Ball could bring in a trade return down the road, this is a smart move from the team.

During media availability, Karnisovas noted that the team is taking a small step back, but his focus is on building the team for the future and on the growth of the Bulls in the team's last 30 games following the deadline.

He mentioned having at least nine players on the team ages 20 to 25, noting their experience in the league being beneficial.

Rumors early on Thursday suggested the Bulls were contacted by the Orlando Magic about Coby White, with the team not making a move. With White's next deal expected to be more than the Bulls would be willing to pay the young star, Karnisovas was questioned about why he did not move a player like White.

Karnisovas would continue to speak about his focus on the future of the team, but would also say the focus would lean towards the draft and free agency.

When asked about how he expects fans to stay patient given both the moves and lack of moves since he took over, he raised the idea of wanting to see a change in the last 30 games of the season and going from there.

Another move that would reflect Karnisovas' potential end with the franchise is Patrick Williiams' five-year, $90 million deal. Williams is having another season seen as a disappointment by many, averaging 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds, down from 10.0 ppg last season.

Many saw the decision to sign Williams to a new deal before letting him hit restricted free agency as a poor move by Karnisovas, believing the team could've gotten a better deal for Williams.

The 2025 deadline is only the latest example of poor moves, or a lack of moves, from the Bulls front office, with Karnisovas not giving much of a response as to the team's actions ahead of the deadline.

With the team becoming less of a free agent destination, the team's future continues to look bleak.