Entering a matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a Pacific Coast road trip, the Chicago Bulls were losers of four consecutive contests. Coincidentally, Chicago’s opponent had also endured a tough stretch as of late—losing five straight games.

The two faltering squads matched up at a perfect time as one would earn a much-needed victory. Despite having much more to play for than the rebuilding Trail Blazers, the Bulls succumbed to the league’s youngest team. The Bulls started strong, outscoring the Blazers 34-22 in the first quarter. Chicago connected on 14-of-24 field goals (seven assisted) to build a commanding lead.

Unfortunately, a third of the Bulls’ points were scored in the first frame. In the second quarter, Chicago mustered 19 points, converting only five field goals, two of which were assisted. The Bulls gave up 31 points to the Blazers, thus equaling the score at the half. Chicago didn’t shoot much better in the third, making 8-of-21 shot attempts. By the end of the third, Portland had built a 10-point lead.

Halfway through the final stanza, the Bulls’ deficit ballooned to 15. Chicago was only able to score five points as the Blazers built an insurmountable lead. The Bulls would cut Portland’s lead to nine with just over three minutes to go but never came within striking distance—ultimately losing 113-102. Only one Bull shot better than 50 percent from the floor, Julian Phillips, who converted his only field goal attempt on the night.

The Bulls have gone from stellar offense to an inefficient mess

Following repeated performances of an explosive offense, including frenetic pacing and high-volume three-point shooting, the Bulls’ identity to begin the season is now obsolete. Against Portland, the Bulls scored 102 points, made eight three-pointers, and tallied only 21 assists. For reference, Chicago averages 117.6 points, 16.1 threes, and 29.5 assists per game.

Over the Bulls’ five-game skid, they’ve only cleared their average in points per game twice, three-pointers once, and assists twice. Chicago’s defense has been subpar all season long, but it’s recently been compounded with less than stellar offense. The Bulls’ former strength has seemingly vanished into thin air.

While Zach LaVine (27 points) and Nikola Vucevic (17 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists) continue to play well, the rest of the roster has struggled mightily. Patrick Williams has notoriously faltered in January, scoring in double-digits only three times this month. The former fourth-overall pick is averaging 7.4 points in 25.4 minutes per game through 10 contests. Amid his struggles, the Bulls’ Front Office has reportedly made Williams available for trade for the first time in his career.

Besides Williams, Josh Giddey has seriously stagnated on offense to begin the New Year. Giddey, like Williams, has scored in double-digits only thrice despite averaging nearly 30 minutes per game. The 6-foot-8 floor general hit a new low against the Blazers, scoring zero points and recording a team-worst minus-15 plus/minus. Not only does Billy Donovan and Co have to worry about Williams’ lack of progression, but now Giddey has entered the plateauing conversation.

The what-ifs and questions are becoming overwhelming. After a strong end to 2024 and a 3-2 start to 2025, the Bulls now find themselves in a distant 10th place, three and a half games behind the Detroit Pistons and five games behind the sixth-seeded Atlanta Hawks. Although the Bulls (somehow) remain in the playoff race, they’re currently the ninth-worst team in the NBA, narrowly holding onto their first-rounder if the draft lottery goes their way. As a reminder, Chicago loses its draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs if it falls outside the top 10.

If Chicago’s four-game skid wasn’t a clear indication that a LaVine or Vucevic trade should be in the works, this five-game streak culminating with a loss against the downtrodden Blazers is the pinnacle. The Bulls were recently too far ahead of the bottom-dwellers to comfortably secure a top-10 draft pick. But now, after five straight losses, the Bulls are only four games ahead of the sixth-to-worst Brooklyn Nets. If Chicago finishes the season sixth or worst, they’ll secure a spot in the loaded 2025 NBA Draft. Trading Vooch, LaVine, or another veteran will only help matters.