It’s no secret that the Chicago Bulls are in need of a revamped forward unit. Last year, the team took a step in the right direction by snagging the undervalued Matas Buzelis with the 11th overall pick. Buzelis proved a worthwhile investment, averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 blocks, and 1.2 three-pointers per game, culminating in an All-Rookie Second Team selection.

Besides the ascending Buzelis, Chicago gravely lacks viable wings. Of course, Patrick Williams remains, yet after five seasons, he’s still more of an idea than a reliable asset. Despite inking a five-year, $90 million pact last offseason, he’s never averaged more than 10.2 points per game. Williams averaged a career-low 9.0 points and shot merely 39.7 percent from the floor a season ago. The return on the former top-five selection has been rather poor.

Lastly, Dalen Terry and Julian Phillips fill out the remainder of the Bulls’ wing rotation. Phillips, like Buzelis, is an ascending talent. Nonetheless, the former Tennessee Volunteer is on a different trajectory. He averaged 4.6 points in 14.2 minutes per game last season. Terry, while more of a guard, stands 6-foot-7, and like Williams, is a former first-round pick. However, he hasn’t necessarily produced, totaling 591 points across three professional seasons. 2025-26 is certainly a prove-it season for the 22-year-old.

Consequently, Chicago’s thin wing unit has led Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas to seek reinforcements in the NBA Draft. Chicago has worked out several forwards, and has notably zoned in on one of the more intriguing point-forwards in the draft class.

Rockets’ Cam Whitmore presents an intriguing trade target

Still, even if the Bulls add a wing in the draft, there’s room for additional reinforcements. Chicago has been linked to the Golden State Warriors’ soon-to-be restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga thus far. The downside to acquiring Kuminga is that he’ll likely command an exorbitant contract.

Fortunately, a much cheaper and equally tantalizing option has recently presented itself. According to Kelly Iko via The Athletic, numerous teams have inquired about Houston Rockets’ wing Cam Whitmore’s availability. While Whitmore hasn’t outright requested a trade, he “has expressed his displeasure at the end of the bench” throughout his career.

There also hasn’t been any inclination that the Rockets are ready to part ways with the 20-year-old wing. Whitmore has proven to be extremely valuable in a finite role. He has averaged 10.8 points in only 17.4 minutes per game over 98 appearances. While he’s a high-volume scorer, he’s done so with relatively high efficiency. Whitmore shoots 44.9 percent from the floor and 35.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Even though his per-36-minute stats are wildly impressive, he’s struggled to crack a deep Houston wing rotation. Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks, Jabari Smith Jr., and Tari Eason are ahead of Whitmore on the depth chart. All four forwards are entrenched in Houston, having been signed through at least 2026. Therefore, Whitmore’s avenue to playing time remains dependent on a trade involving a veteran wing’s departure, such as Brooks, or one that would send the former Wildcat elsewhere.

The Bulls would assuredly pique Whitmore’s interest. Chicago, like Houston, fits Whitmore’s timeline. The Bulls are the eighth-youngest team in the NBA. Unlike the Rockets, as mentioned, Chicago lacks quality wing depth. The 6-foot-7 forward would be in line for a massive uptick in minutes and potentially a starting role from the get-go. Moreover, Whitmore would likely be granted the ultimate green light in Billy Donovan’s uptempo offense—something he hasn’t had in Houston.

If the Bulls were to trade for Whitmore, he’d be under contract for two more seasons and only $9 million, making him an ideal, buy-low trade candidate. At this point, it’s unknown how Houston values Whitmore. His offense is special, yet he’s tunnel-visioned and isn’t a reliable defender.

Perhaps a trade similar to what Chicago completed a season ago, sending Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, would be comparable—a solid, high-impact veteran for an intriguing young player with obvious flaws. While the Bulls don’t roster another Caruso to dangle in trade talks, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, or Zach Collins, and draft capital might be enticing enough for the Rockets to entertain a conversation involving Whitmore.