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Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are 9–9 and sitting 10th in the East, competitive enough to stay in the mix but still carrying a problem that keeps defining their season. Their defense breaks down too easily. Opponents live in the paint. Rotations slip. And those issues show up in the numbers, with Chicago ranking 23rd in defensive rating.
The perimeter group has struggled to contain first actions, and outside of Isaac Okoro there has not been a reliable stopper to slow down elite wings. Too many drives get through the first line. Too many scorers look comfortable. It is effort without the structure to support it.
One trade idea, proposed by FanSided’s Austin McGee offers a fix. NBA insider Jake Fischer reported recently that the Orlando Magic could consider moving Jonathan Isaac due to long-term payroll concerns. If Orlando decide to move on, the Bulls could capitalize.
Centers expected to be available on the trade market include:
Nic Claxton Robert Williams III Nick Richards Jonathan Isaac Jusuf Nurkic
“Brooklyn’s Nic Claxton is expected to generate incoming calls to the rebuilding Nets about Claxton’s availability…Phoenix has made Nick
Why Jonathan Isaac Fits What the Bulls Need
Isaac changes defensive possessions in ways the Bulls currently cannot. His length disrupts ball-handlers, his timing erases shots, and he has the mobility to guard across three positions. When he is on the floor, opponents think twice before attacking the paint. That alone would reshape Chicago’s defense.
Offensively, the fit is straightforward. Isaac screens, cuts and finishes plays, and he does it without needing touches to find rhythm. The Bulls do not need him to create offense. They simply need him to keep lineups connected and maintain spacing for their scorers.
More than anything, Isaac offers something Chicago has lacked all season: a defender who raises the baseline of every unit. Someone who supports Nikola Vucevic inside while giving Okoro real help at the point of attack.
If you miss defense in the NBA, then watch Jonathan Isaac…
Special defensive reps against everyone from Luka to Giannis, Tatum, Zion, Haliburton, LeBron, AD, Booker, etc.
One of the VERY few guys who can genuinely guard 1-5—lockdown perimeter defender & anchor rim protector🔒
Why Isaac Might Be Available
Orlando is heading toward a significant financial commitment around Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane. Isaac’s contract includes appearance-based guarantees that increase if he stays healthy, and those numbers add up quickly for a team preparing to pay its core.
That dynamic creates an opening.
McGee’s proposed structure is simple and realistic. Kevin Huerter matches salary. A pair of second-round picks adds value. Chicago could even receive a young flyer like Jett Howard in the deal. Orlando gets shooting and financial clarity. The Bulls get the defensive anchor they have been missing.
It checks out on both sides.
Why the Bulls Should Explore It
Isaac provides stability and versatility in the areas Chicago needs most. He can guard multiple positions, protect the rim, and give the Bulls late-game defensive options they simply do not have right now. The added boost he brings to small-ball lineups also allows the perimeter group to play with more aggression, knowing there is real help behind them.
He fits without taking shots from Coby White or Josh Giddey. He fills a gap the roster has not been able to address internally. And he is attainable without costing Chicago major assets.
Yes, he’s missed stretches throughout his career and averaged only 15 minutes per game last season, even while healthier. That context matters. But the Bulls are not asking him to carry a heavy workload. They need impact in short bursts, and in that type of role, the risk becomes a lot more manageable.
Final Word
The Bulls have fought to stay around .500, but their defensive issues remain too significant to ignore. Isaac is one of the few realistic trade targets who addresses those flaws immediately. He may not change the entire Eastern Conference landscape. He does change Chicago’s foundation.
Moves like this are often the ones that matter most. A player who fills a hole, fits the timeline and gives the Bulls a defensive identity again.
And if Orlando opens the door, Chicago should be ready to walk through it.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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