2025 will be a pivotal year for the Chicago Bulls; there’s no doubt about it. The Bulls are 10th in the Eastern Conference, possessing a 15-19 record following a loss to the lowly Washington Wizards. This comes after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks and Charlotte Hornets to end 2024.
At this juncture in the season, Chicago squeaks into the play-in while retaining its top-10 pick if the lottery goes their way. Unfortunately for the Bulls, it’s unlikely either will come to fruition, that being a playoff seed and the retention of a top-10 draft pick. Chicago would need a valiant start to 2025 to ensure a playoff berth, usurping teams such as the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, and Atlanta Hawks along the way.
However, a high playoff seed likely equates to a quick, first-round exit at the hands of the powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, or New York Knicks, who have combined to lose only 23 games thus far. Instead, retaining the top-10 pick is the far better outcome for a squad with two playoff appearances in its past eight campaigns.
Nevertheless, if the Chicago brass is inclined to retain its selection in this year’s loaded draft class, that will likely mean parting ways with one of, if not multiple, veterans. While Zach LaVine is the most prominent Bull mentioned as a trade candidate in league circles, Nikola Vucevic is a close second. One of the two players might be dealt come February 6. If not, expect a playoff push followed by the front office slamming the rebuild button this offseason.
Regardless of who (if anyone) is traded over the next month, there’s strong reason to believe the Bulls will part ways with several veterans on expiring contracts this offseason. Consequently, we’ve listed seven players we’d be surprised to see in 2026.
7 Bulls who will be wearing new jerseys in 2026
7. Chris Duarte
This is an easy one. Former All-Rookie Second Team selection Chris Duarte was a throw-in in the offseason DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade that sent the 35-year-old wing to Sacramento. Upon arriving in Chicago, Duarte faced an uphill battle to earn minutes on a guard-heavy squad.
The former King has only appeared in 13 games and was recently sent down to the G-League to play in the annual Winter Showcase. Duarte averaged an impressive 25.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.5 three-pointers as a member of the Windy City Bulls. Despite the strong two-game outing, Duarte has only cracked Chicago’s rotation in one game since.
Duarte’s lack of playing time, combined with no additional years remaining on his contract, makes him unlikely to return to the Windy City in any capacity. Although he once showed promise in the league, averaging 13.1 points in 28.0 minutes per game as a rookie, Duarte is unlikely to assume a notable role in his career as he nears 28-years-old.
6. Talen Horton-Tucker
Three years younger than Duarte, with two more seasons of experience, there’s still time for the 24-year-old Talen Horton-Tucker to seize a sizable role in the NBA. However, like his counterpart, time is running out. Horton-Tucker is playing for his hometown Bulls on a minimum $2 million contract that becomes fully guaranteed in the coming days.
Unlike Duarte, Horton-Tucker has cracked Billy Donovan’s rotation, averaging 12.6 minutes per game in 28 appearances. The former Iowa State Cyclone has performed well thus far. He averages 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while converting a career-high 47.1 percent of his field goals and 37.1 percent of his three-pointers.
Even though Horton-Tucker is a rotation player who’s seen a resurgence in efficiency, it’ll be surprising to see the 24-year-old stick around past this season. Although he’s not consistent enough for a contender to poach ahead of the trade deadline, another below-average squad will likely sign Horton-Tucker to a one-year “prove it” deal in the offseason.
5. Jevon Carter
Another hometown player, Maywood-born Jevon Carter, agreed to a three-year, $20 million deal with the Bulls in the 2023 offseason. Carter signed with Chicago following a breakout 2022-23 campaign with the Bucks, where he averaged 8.0 points and knocked down 142 three-pointers.
Carter’s success began and ended with the Bucks. He failed to make the same impact in Chicago, averaging only 5.0 points in 13.9 minutes per game in his first season with the Bulls. Coming off a season where he shot 42.1 percent on 337 three-point attempts, Carter shot only 32.9 percent on 234 attempts a season ago.
Now, one and a half seasons into his Chicago tenure, Carter is a seldom-used reserve who’s appeared in only 107 minutes this season. While he’s demonstrated that he’s still a reliable contributor, Carter’s time in Chicago is running out. The 29-year-old is still under contract for a season more, making him a potential trade candidate or salary cap casualty this season or in the offseason.
4. Torrey Craig
Although LaVine and Vucevic have garnered the most trade interest leading up to the trade deadline, Torrey Craig is the most likely Bull to be sent elsewhere over the next month. He’s certainly not more desirable than LaVine, Vucevic, or several other Bulls. However, his value is relatively high as a veteran earning the league minimum.
Craig hasn’t played all too often this season. He’s only appeared in nine contests, but the 34-year-old has played well when called upon. In Craig’s only start of the season, he scored 15 points, drilled three triples, and spent most of his time defending Giannis Antetokounmpo. Furthermore, whenever he’s played 10 minutes or more, Craig has scored at least six points and connected on one three-pointer.
The longtime veteran is objectively a solid, all-around contributor. Nonetheless, his contributions are dispensable to the Bulls. Nearing the end of his career, Craig is better suited to playing for a contending squad such as the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, or Bucks. He’s a quality depth piece that provides the much-needed 3-and-D archetype. Plus, he’s playing on an expiring, minimum-level contract, making him easily attainable for cap-strapped squads.
3. Lonzo Ball
This one stings, but Lonzo Ball is playing on the last season of the four-year, $80 million pact he signed in the 2021 offseason. Following the extension, Ball starred for the Bulls, leading Chicago to a first-seed, averaging 13.0 points, and converting 42.3 percent of his three-pointers. Unfortunately, Ball suffered a knee injury in January of 2022 and has been ravaged by knee problems up until the beginning of the 2023-24 season.
Ball triumphantly returned to action in October, only to miss additional time due to a wrist injury. Despite the rash of injuries, he’s returned to show some of the promise he was once hailed for. Ball has averaged only 5.3 points, but he’s contributed 3.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
Due to injury concerns, it’s unlikely Ball will receive another sizable contract anytime soon, yet he’s proven to be a valuable contributor in abbreviated action. Athleticism has never been a focal point of Ball’s game. Thus, his game should age gracefully into his late 20s, even if he never returns to starting point guard form. There’s a real chance Ball returns to Chicago next season, but other teams will surely offer the 6-foot-6 combo guard a reasonable, one-year pact in the offseason.
2. Nikola Vucevic
If not this season, expect Vucevic’s departure to come before next. The same can be said for the final player on the list. But before we get ahead of ourselves discussing LaVine, Vooch isn’t expected to be in Chicago for much longer. His name has been tossed around as a trade candidate for several months now, and the rumors won’t come to a halt until at the latest, February 6.
Multiple teams have been linked to the two-time All-Star, although some are implausible suitors. Moreover, any interest at all means other teams are monitoring the 34-year-old big man. Vucevic is a great player, even as he nears 40. However, like Craig, his timeline doesn’t fit the perpetually (semi) rebuilding Bulls.
Vucevic is only under contract for one more season beyond this one. He’s a valuable target because of his expiring pact and nominal contract compared to his statistical output. The 14-year pro averages 20.3 points and 10.1 rebounds and drains 2.1 threes per game at a 44.0 percent clip. Assuming the front office is intent on jumpstarting a rebuild, trading Vucevic while his value is at its peak is the most reasonable outcome.
1. Zach LaVine
Without further ado, two-time All-Star Zach LaVine. Although it’s looking less likely the 29-year-old will be traded by the February deadline, expect Chicago to listen to all offers in the offseason. LaVine’s five-year, $215 million pact he signed in 2022 makes it harder for the Bulls to find a financially suitable trade partner midseason.
However, the offseason provides teams with ample salary cap room to execute such a trade. If LaVine continues his torrid play, his value will remain high into the offseason. The reason the Bulls failed to trade the swingman last season is because of injury concerns amid a down season. LaVine averaged only 19.5 points per game in 25 appearances last season.
The 6-foot-5 guard is averaging 22.3 points and making 3.3 three-pointers per game on a 44.4 percent clip this year. Even though he’s a non-All-Star earning $43 million this season, he’s a valuable player. Realistically, LaVine is a second option on a championship-level team. His combination of shooting and athleticism is unparalleled. Like Vooch’s case, once the Bulls fully embrace the rebuild, LaVine will move on to bigger and better things.
