CHICAGO, Ill. – The Chicago Bulls have an undeniable problem at the center position, and it’s one that could define their trajectory for the next several seasons.

Despite a mix of young talent and draft assets, the franchise lacks a long-term answer at the five, leaving them vulnerable in a league that increasingly prizes versatile big men.

Heading into the trade deadline, there are at least four high-risk, high-reward options that could completely reshape the Bulls’ frontcourt and potentially elevate the team beyond the Play-In Tournament.

The most tantalizing possibilities include Anthony Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaren Jackson Jr., and the ultimate prize, Giannis Antetokounmpo—a player often referred to as the NBA’s “white whale” due to his rarity and impact.

Are these moves realistic for Chicago? On paper, the Bulls hold all their first-round picks, possess more than $60 million in expiring contracts, and control a rookie lottery pick in Noa Essengue alongside young talent like Matas Buzelis, giving them the currency to swing for a superstar.

Whether this front office is willing to make that leap remains the central question, with past moves suggesting a cautious approach rather than all-in gambles.

Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks

Towns has reportedly become available as the Knicks continue to spiral, posting a 2-9 record over their last 11 games and facing internal unrest.

Player-only meetings led by Jalen Brunson and growing dissatisfaction with head coach Mike Brown indicate a locker room in flux, a scenario that often pushes teams to consider moving high-profile players.

Towns, a five-time All-Star, is averaging 17.9 points per game, shooting 33.3 percent from three and 48.4 percent on two-pointers, reflecting both his talent and the Knicks’ ongoing struggles.

His contract, which includes $53.1 million this season, $57.1 million next season, and a $61 million player option in 2027-28, might make him more attainable than initially expected if New York wants to reset its roster.

For the Bulls, adding Towns would bring a proven All-Star big man capable of stretching the floor, defending multiple positions, and providing the type of interior presence they’ve lacked for years.

Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks

The potential deal for Davis has been widely discussed for months, centering on acquiring the elite, but injury-prone, 32-year-old.

Since being traded to Dallas nearly a year ago, Davis has appeared in only 29 games, and he’s currently sidelined with a hand injury, highlighting the ongoing concerns about his availability.

Davis is seeking a contract extension, either with the Mavericks or with any team willing to take a chance on his talent, and Chicago could capitalize on a temporarily depressed market to acquire a former All-NBA star at a relative discount.

When healthy, Davis is a transformative player, offering rim protection, rebounding, and scoring versatility that could complement Chicago’s roster and accelerate their path toward playoff relevance.

Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Jackson Jr., a former NBA Defensive Player of the Year (2022–23), has emerged as one of the league’s premier two-way big men, combining elite rim protection with a 37.4 percent three-point shooting percentage on 5.0 attempts per game over the last two seasons.

Memphis has hinted that it could move Jackson Jr. if the right package is presented, particularly if the Grizzlies decide to reset alongside former face-of-the-franchise Ja Morant, who himself could be on the move.

Jackson’s ability to stretch the floor on offense and anchor the paint on defense makes him an ideal target for Chicago, particularly if the team is committed to winning now rather than rebuilding slowly.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

The most ambitious option for the Bulls would be pursuing Giannis Antetokounmpo, the two-time MVP whose presence instantly elevates a team to championship contention.

The Bucks are in a season-long tailspin, and it has become increasingly clear that Milwaukee may not compete for titles in the near future, opening the door to a potential blockbuster trade.

Acquiring Giannis would likely require a multi-first-round pick package, perhaps including young assets like Matas Buzelis, but the payoff would be immediate: a legitimate superstar capable of transforming the Bulls into an Eastern Conference contender.

From a strategic standpoint, Chicago has the assets, cap space, and draft flexibility to make these moves, but it remains a matter of whether Executive VP of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas is willing to swing for the fences.

The team’s current situation underscores the need for bold action. Without a true center or superstar interior presence, Chicago risks stagnation in the highly competitive Eastern Conference.

Even if only one of these options becomes attainable, the Bulls could significantly improve their chances of competing for a playoff spot and potentially positioning themselves for a deeper postseason run.

For fans, the allure of a bold trade—whether Towns, Davis, Jackson Jr., or Giannis—is the promise of a franchise-altering move that could revive the excitement that has been missing since Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler’s era.

It’s a clear reminder that the Bulls have a window to address a long-standing weakness, and that waiting too long could mean missing the chance to land a transformative piece while still maintaining roster flexibility.

Ultimately, the question isn’t just which superstar is available—it’s whether Chicago is willing to aim for more than a Play-In berth and commit to building a contender around a dominant interior presence.

The Bulls’ options vary in risk, but each has the potential to alter the trajectory of the franchise for years to come, a scenario that could shift fan expectations, player development, and the front office’s strategic priorities.

Chicago’s fans, front office, and current roster all stand to benefit if the team can pull off one of these high-reward trades, cementing a path to competitiveness in the Eastern Conference.

If Karnišovas and the Bulls decide to act, the coming weeks could define the franchise’s long-term direction, either maintaining the status quo or dramatically repositioning Chicago as a contender in the NBA’s modern era.