The Chicago Bulls are in an odd spot. They’re coming off their third consecutive Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament (and loss). They’ve proven themselves good enough to compete for a playoff spot but not good enough to win a series or make a run.

Still, the team finished the final 20 games of the 2024-25 campaign with a 15-5 record and received highly encouraging performances from guards Josh Giddey and Coby White. Whether or not those performances are legitimate remains to be seen, but there’s some genuine positivity to take away from last season.

The Eastern Conference is also in a state of significant flux. The Boston Celtics will almost certainly take a step back, the Milwaukee Bucks will be without Damian Lillard next year, and perhaps Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Cleveland Cavaliers could be forced to make some roster alterations. The Miami Heat don’t look any better off than the Bulls. Young teams like the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic haven’t made a leap to the top.

Even the New York Knicks are showing flaws during their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Indiana Pacers, who, as of now, appear to be the team to beat next year.

If the Bulls can pick up where they left off last season, there are some playoff spots to be had. At the same time, the roster is one of the youngest in the NBA, and the front office is still open to making adjustments.

Does Chicago acquire some more veterans in the hopes of making a playoff push, or keep with the strategy of building and developing a young roster?

These five players aren’t all on the trading block, but other teams could make legitimate offers in the hopes of prying them away from the Windy City. The Bulls need to at least be ready to listen.

5 players the Chicago Bulls should be prepared to trade this summer

1. Nikola Vucevic

Vucevic is the most obvious name on this list (and has been for years), yet he remains in Chicago. The aging center doesn’t fit what this Bulls team wants to do on either end of the floor, is getting more plodding by the season and is now on an expiring contract.

The Golden State Warriors were reportedly interested in the two-time All-Star at last year’s trade deadline, but nothing materialized. Now, there are links between the Warriors and Bulls surrounding Jonathan Kuminga. If a deal goes down, Vucevic would presumably be in it.

Even if there’s not a significant move like that on the table, it’s time for Chicago to move on, even if the return is a few second-round picks.

2. Patrick Williams

The Bulls should be prepared to trade Williams on any given day at any given time over the next four years. He can officially be given the bust designation, yet VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas handed him a five-year, $90 million contract before he even tested the restricted free agency waters.

The only reason Williams isn’t No. 1 on this list is because the likelihood of an offer coming across Karnisovas’s desk is remote at best. At least there’s a chance Vucevic gets traded.

3. Lonzo Ball

Ball signed a two-year, $20 million contract—with the second year being a team option—at last season’s trade deadline. The deal made sense on two fronts: Even when he’s plagued by injuries, Ball is still a useful veteran on a young roster who can provide leadership, both on and off the court; and the team option makes his contract one of the most tradeable in the NBA.

There’s already reported interested in Ball from the Dallas Mavericks, who will be without Kyrie Irving for a good chunk of the 2025-26 season. Chicago should be prepared to make a move if a decent offer is on the table.

4. Ayo Dosunmu

Dosunmu has been a significant part of the Bulls’ rotation since he entered the league. Before his season ended early, he had a clearly defined role as Chicago’s sixth man and spot starter. So why should the team be ready to send him packing?

Dosunmu will be a free agent after next season. Josh Giddey appears to be with the Bulls for the foreseeable future. Coby White, who became head coach Billy Donovan’s top offensive option, will be a free agent at the same time as Dosunmu.

As valuable as the Illinois native has been, it’s not worth paying a third guard the type of money he’ll likely earn on the free agent market. Trading him now and getting an asset or assets in return would be a wise call.

5. Coby White

To be clear, there are few scenarios in which the Bulls should trade White. But depending on what happens this offseason and into next year, Karnisovas should at least listen to offers.

Teams like the Magic, Pistons, Brooklyn Nets and Denver Nuggets could all use a scoring combo guard like White. And if Chicago really wants a large package of draft picks and/or young players, the 24-year-old will fetch the biggest return.

Presumably, White is nowhere near the trading block, and he’s more likely to sign a long-term contract next offseason than be traded. But if a desperate franchise makes a godfather offer that the Bulls can’t refuse, they would have to pull the trigger.