I’ve said this ever since the Chicago Bulls found themselves on their current run heading into the Play-In Tournament: the team is an athletic, versatile big and an athletic three-and-D wing player from being interesting. After Friday night’s performance, Julian Phillips may have some wondering if the latter half of my two-part wishlist is already on the squad.
Phillips exploded for a career high in points (23) and rebounds (9). Granted, the stat line came against the punch-less Washington Wizards, but Phillips, 21, has shown some flashes as he has appeared in 77 games this season and figures to log some extended minutes in the season finale against another horrendous Eastern Conference team, the Philadelphia 76ers, on Sunday.
Even with those caveats in place, Phillips’ performance caused some fan reaction.
Julian dropped a career-high! @ju1ianphillipspic.twitter.com/4ASt3Ofjko
Julian dropped a career-high! @ju1ianphillips pic.twitter.com/4ASt3Ofjko
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 12, 2025
One fan pleaded with the Bulls’ front office (like they could hear him): “Please dont trade him & dalen.”
Dalen Terry has positioned himself as a defensive spark plug off the bench, but he’s yet to establish himself as an offensive force. It’s easy to see how Phillips and Terry have become fan favorites. They’re both young with upside, which always excites fans.
A second fan went the other direction.
“Package him and a 2nd with Vuc to net a 1st.”
The idea is strong, but the practicality isn’t there. Why would a team want to part ways with a first-round pick for Nikola Vucevic, and what salary is the team sending back in this trade? It often seems these are the kinds of questions people don’t bother asking when they conjure up these one-sided teams that only benefit their favorite squad.
However, if there is an NBA team dumb enough to pull the trigger on this, I’d still be a little hesitant. That first-round pick is almost certain to be a late pick, which means it’s an even bigger gamble. What’s to say the player you choose will be any better than Phillips?
I’m a proponent of keeping Phillips on the team and continuing to develop him as a contributor on a young, up-and-coming Bulls roster.
