Linking the Chicago Bulls to free-agent, draft-eligible, and trade-worthy centers will persist until the franchise moves to acquire its center of the future. Chicago has notably trotted out veteran big man Nikola Vucevic for the past four-and-a-half seasons. In his tenure with the Bulls, Vucevic has averaged 18.2 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Not too shabby.

Nonetheless, Vucevic is 34-years-old—five years older than his next-oldest counterpart. He doesn’t fit the Bulls’ timeline. And, while his shooting and post-playmaking are a boon for Billy Donovan’s space-and-pace offense, his defensive deficiencies are debilitating for a team devoid of capable perimeter defenders.

The Bulls must analyze the draft, free agency, and trade market for an upgrade at center

The Bulls should prioritize a defensive anchor. A player who’s an imposing force in the interior. Chicago’s backcourt is almost already set, pending Josh Giddey’s likely $30 million contract. Giddey, alongside Coby White, makes for a subpar defensive backcourt. Therefore, an interior deterrent is the Bulls’ best bet at rectifying their defensive dilemma.

The 2025 free agent class is a starting point, yet it’s not flush with viable options. 37-year-old Brook Lopez, 29-year-old Clint Capela, and 29-year-old Myles Turner are the best available, starting-caliber defensive bigs. Moreover, 29-year-old Luke Kornet, 23-year-old Day’Ron Sharpe, and 24-year-old Jaxson Hayes make for intriguing reserve-level targets.

Like Vucevic, the three aforementioned starting-caliber bigs don’t necessarily fit Chicago’s timeline, especially not Lopez. Furthermore, Turner’s price point is likely to be upward of $20 million—more than the Bulls can spend. Capela is the most intriguing of the bunch because of his potentially modest price point and age. Still, on the verge of turning 30, he’s only a stopgap option.

The latter three options make sense, especially in the reserve capacity with Vucevic, Jalen Smith, and Zach already rostered. However, Kornet’s advanced age also makes him a stopgap option. Sharpe is a restricted free agent on the team with the league’s most salary cap space. That leaves Hayes, who at the point is the least inspiring option.

That leaves the NBA Draft and the trade market. Several quality prospects, such as Duke’s Khaman Maluach, Georgia’s Asa Newell, South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles, and France’s Noa Essengue, are consistent with the Bulls’ frontcourt needs. Yet adding a veteran to the mix wouldn’t hurt.

Charlotte’s Mark Williams is a tantalizing trade target

One veteran who immediately comes to mind is Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams. The 23-year-old was notoriously dealt at the trade deadline, only to see the trade rescinded by a failed physical days later. Williams was sent to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Dalton Knecht, Cam Reddish, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2031 unprotected first-rounder.

All in all, a 24-year-old rookie, a current free agent, and a distant first-round pick isn’t an exuberant price to pay for an emerging center. Although injury-plagued, Williams has enjoyed a highly productive three-year career. The 7-footer averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game this past season. The downside to Williams is that he’s appeared in just 106 games over three seasons and was sent back to Charlotte because of the aforementioned failed physical.

Following the trade debacle, Williams’ agent disputed the failed physical, stating, “The overwhelming sentiment, after conferring with multiple, nationally recognized doctors, is that the Los Angeles Lakers should not have failed Mark Williams on his physical.” Thereafter, the former Duke Blue Devil appeared in 21 of Charlotte’s 30 post-All-Star break contests, seeing an uptick in minutes.

Perhaps the Lakers had long-term injury concerns, which isn’t irrational. Williams has dealt with numerous injuries to the lower extremities and back issues that hampered him in two separate seasons. Still, at only 23 years old, Williams’ value is incredible.

A trade consisting of Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and an unprotected 2031 first-rounder, reminiscent of the Lakers’ offer, could be enough to tempt the Hornets. However, Knecht is arguably more intriguing than either Bull. Therefore, including Ayo Dosunmu or a more valuable draft pick could do the trick.

No matter how Charlotte feels about Williams, the Bulls must do their due diligence on the 7-foot big man. Williams is a hulking presence, with a 9-foot-9 standing reach. His sheer size is enough of a deterrent. Williams’s impressive physical profile, paired with his age, makes him a perfect fit alongside Giddey, White, and the rest of Chicago’s young core.