The Chicago Bulls have only two games remaining before the much-anticipated trade deadline. On February 4, they will face the Miami Heat, and then on February 5, they will travel to Minneapolis to battle the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Of course, the roster will look much different prior to Tuesday and Wednesday night's matchups. Chicago will be without Zach LaVine on the floor or the bench for the first time in eight years. The Bulls sent LaVine to Sacramento as part of a three-team trade conducted on February 2.
In return, the Bulls received Zach Collins and Tre Jones from the San Antonio Spurs and Kevin Huerter from the Sacramento Kings. Subsequent to the three-team trade, the Bulls released two reserves, Chris Duarte, and Torrey Craig to trim the roster back down to 15.
Although Collins, Jones, and Huerter were just acquired, one or more of the aforementioned players may be rerouted in the coming days. The latter two have already been mentioned as prime candidates to be flipped for additional assets. Despite the notion that the Bulls are actively scouring the market for suitors for Jones and Huerter, there's a possibility both players will remain in the Windy City with less than 48 hours until the trade deadline.
None of the Bulls' recent acquisitions are likely to debut before the trade deadline
None of the new Bulls will play tonight. As previously reported, Bulls are looking to make more deals, including potentially flipping Jones and/or Huerter.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 4, 2025
However, neither Jones nor Huerter will play on Tuesday as the Bulls take on the Heat. Collins is also out of the lineup. Now, without the three new acquisitions, and LaVine, Craig, and Duarte, Chicago will have only 10 active players for the February 4 matchup. The Bulls will likely call upon two-way signees E.J. Liddell and Emanuel Miller as reinforcements, with Adama Sanogo already ruled out.
Due to the circumstances of Chicago's back-to-back games, one at home and the next on the road, it's unlikely the trio will see the floor on February 5 in Minneapolis. Thus, the first time Collins, Jones, and Huerter could see the floor will be on February 8 in a contest against the Golden State Warriors.
If anything, expect only to see Collins suit up for the Bulls. Chicago is flush with guards, prompting the front office to explore the possibilities of sending Jones and Huerter elsewhere. With Nikola Vucevic on the trade block, Collins is a keeper to steady the frontcourt. The Bulls only roster one other big besides Vooch—Jalen Smith.