Chicago had some obvious winners like Yuki Kawamura and Matas Buzelis, but the Bulls had some stealth victors, and some losers, too, after their 3-2 finish in Sin City. Count head coach Billy Donovan, Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas, point guard Josh Giddey and forward Patrick Williams among them.

But which parties among that group should consider this year’s summer league a win, and which now have even more to worry about heading into what’s shaping up to be an intriguing 2025-26 season for the organization?

Chicago Bulls winners and losers from 2025 NBA Summer League

We’ll do the good news first. Apart from Kawamura and Buzelis, here are a pair of victors from the last few weeks in the desert:

Winner: Head coach Billy Donovan

Donovan’s son, Billy Donovan III, coached the Bulls’ summer league group, so that’s a fun win for a proud papa. But the elder Donovan also got to see some promising performances from his Twin Tower forward duo and a healthy dose of intense competition for the final spots on the 15-man roster.

After an inefficient performance in his first game, Buzelis bounced back and showed why he’s too good for summer league, dropping 28 points on 8-for-14 shooting in a win over the Indiana Pacers. Rookie Noa Essengue struggled in his first contest but steadily improved in his second and posted 21 points on 7-for-14 shooting and 3-for-8 from deep in his final game.

In the backcourt, 25-year-old Javon Freeman-Liberty was the Bulls’ best player in Vegas. Jahmir Young scored 40 points in one game and, two days later, was replaced on the team’s regular-season roster by Kawamura.

Donovan has to be pleased with the level of competition at the end of Chicago’s bench and the depth at guard.

Winner: Arturas Karnisovas

Karnisovas was another summer league winner with smart additions like Freeman-Liberty and Kawamura. Buzelis got a chance to earn some confidence heading into next season.

Most importantly, his slow playing of Giddey’s contract extension is a sign that the much-maligned executive has learned from past mistakes.

Loser: Josh Giddey

On the flip side of that equation is Giddey. The 22-year-old was aiming for a long-term extension worth $30 million per year before last season and proceeded to have his best NBA campaign yet. Still, he won’t be getting that $30 million he was hoping for.

Karnisovas and the Bulls are sending their offers in around the $20 million range. The two sides are expected to come to an agreement this summer, and Giddey will likely be back in Chicago, but at a lower price than he was gunning for.

Loser: Patrick Williams

Williams took a step up on the league’s worst contract rankings after Bradley Beal exited Phoenix with the Suns in (more) debt. The 23-year-old forward saw a drop in minutes toward the end of last season – and starts when Buzelis became a regular in that group.

Buzelis should begin the year as the Bulls’ first-choice power forward. Chicago traded Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro, another player in the same combo forward archetype. Williams also has to contend with a shiny new lottery pick in Essengue.

The former No. 4 overall selection faces even more of an uphill battle to keep his spot in Donovan’s rotation. Hopefully, that brings out the best in Williams.