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The Chicago Bulls were listed as a top candidate to potentially make a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis after the Mavericks fired their GM.

The Chicago Bulls have been one of the teams most recently rumored to be a potential new home for Dallas Mavericks star big man Anthony Davis.

He grew up in Chicago, had previously discussed the idea of playing for his hometown team, and after the firing of Nico Harrison, it looked like the Bulls could be a potential fit for the ten-time All-Star and 2020 NBA Champion. While rumors and trade pitches were floated out that sent Davis to Chicago, recent reporting appears the front office had discussed the possibility of adding the star forward/center.

Yet, according to Jamal Collier of ESPN, the Bulls do not appear to be making the seemingly bold move to trade for the injury-riddled Davis. Per his sources, Chicago talked about the idea, but doesn’t believe trading for a superstar is the right move based on their current roster.

“However, team sources said the Bulls will not sacrifice any of their young core to execute such a deal until the team is closer to contention,” Collier wrote. “‘I don’t think going out and chasing X megastar is the way to proceed — at least today,’ one source told ESPN.”

Chicago’s roster currently features Josh Giddey, Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Matas Buzelis as the main contributors. After a strong start, the Bulls are back to a 9-10 record, but according to Collier, they feel confident with this team rather than making a blockbuster deal for a star that, as seen in Dallas, could be very limited with his consistent health concerns. 

Bulls Reported Interest In An Anthony Davis Trade

After the firing of Harrison, Davis trade rumors exploded, and Chicago was one of the most-mentioned teams. They have the contracts to send back to the Mavericks, and at times, feel like they are missing a superstar to fully realize the potential of this roster. 

As Collier reported, “The Bulls have had internal discussions about how to proceed, including conversations about Dallas Mavericks star Anthony Davis…whom they believe could help the team’s porous rim protection and defensive interior.”

Yet still, with the potential of adding one of the best defensive players of a generation, Chicago chose against making an offer to Dallas for Davis. Collier wrote that the Bulls wanted to wait until they are closer to contending for a championship before making a risky move like that, whether it be for Davis or somebody else. 

Many outlets, including Bleacher Report, had thrown out trade ideas on how to get Davis to Chicago before Collier’s reporting dropped. 

“Landing an elite two-way big like Davis would help push the Bulls into a higher tier in the Eastern Conference, provided he’s healthy,” B/R staff wrote. “The goal would be to add Davis without subtracting key rotation players like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Nikola Vučević, Ayo Dosunmu and White. While [Tre] Jones has been superb for Chicago, he’d be the necessary sacrifice, along with [Zach] Collins and [Kevin] Huerter.”

Davis’ health is by far the biggest concern in any deal for him, let alone just a Bulls one. But with their young core playing competitive, moving on from some of their young players might not be worth the risk, especially considering the fact that Davis has played in only 15 games for the Mavericks after being traded to them in February. 

Bulls Trade Rumors Aren’t Dead Yet

Though a Davis trade now appears unlikely, that doesn’t mean Chicago is completely ruled out from making a roster move. In that same article by Collier, he also reported that the Bulls are eyeing a deal for a player like Pascal Siakam, after seeing his incredible recent run with the Indiana Pacers. 

The idea to trade for a player like Siakam came after an unnamed Pacers source said the Bulls are copying the strategy that led them to the 2025 NBA Finals. 

“They stole our mojo,” the source said. “They said before the season they were going to emulate our play style. [Josh] Giddey playing the role as Tyrese [Haliburton]. The fast pace, the late-game comebacks, wearing teams down.”

Accordingly, with Giddey thriving this season, Chicago needs one more player to put alongside him, perhaps one that brings a bit more to the table than White, Buzelis, or Vucevic. 

“They have Haliburton, who is an All-Star, and they have Siakam,” one Bulls source told Collier. “If Giddey can develop into an All-Star and be what Hali was, when do we pull the trigger to get our Siakam?”

After signing Giddey to a four-year, $100 million deal over the summer, he now appears to be the franchise player for Chicago. While a Davis trade now looks like it won’t happen, the Bulls expect to target someone who can elevate the floor of what has been a middling team since 2020. 

Eli Gregorski is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy Sports. He has years of sports writing experience covering the NBA, NFL, college football and basketball, international soccer, and Formula One. He graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he was the assistant sports editor for the award-winning CU Independent student publication. More about Eli Gregorski