Chicago Bulls Continue Their Cycle of Mediocrity as Trade Rumors Intensify Around Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu

The Chicago Bulls find themselves in a familiar position — stuck somewhere between relevance and irrelevance, hovering in the middle of the Eastern Conference with no clear path toward legitimate contention. Their most recent victory, a 114–111 win over the Eastern Conference–leading Boston Celtics on the night of Derrick Rose’s emotional jersey retirement ceremony, briefly energized the fanbase and pushed the Bulls to 23–22 on the season. That record currently places them ninth in the East, right in the heart of the play-in zone.

But beneath that celebratory moment is a harsh reality. Chicago has been treading water for years, unable to rise into the upper tier of the conference yet incapable of bottoming out enough to trigger a full rebuild. Instead, the franchise has lived in NBA limbo — good enough to remain competitive, but not good enough to matter.

With another season drifting toward the same middle-ground fate, pressure is mounting from a portion of the fanbase that believes it’s time for the Bulls to pivot decisively toward a youth-centered future. Many supporters are no longer satisfied with narrowly squeezing into the play-in tournament, especially when that path so often leads nowhere beyond a brief postseason cameo.

A Fanbase Losing Patience: The Push for a Youth Movement

A vocal segment of the Bulls community is calling for more aggressive action — not merely cosmetic roster tweaks, but a real organizational commitment to collecting young assets and future picks. The idea is simple: if the Bulls are destined for mediocrity with this core, they might as well maximize what they have now before losing talent for nothing in free agency.

Among the most frequently discussed names are Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu, all of whom are playing under contracts that could expire soon. Each player carries value, but the Bulls risk receiving nothing should they walk in free agency this summer.

Even fans who like White and Dosunmu’s development acknowledge that the business side cannot be ignored. At minimum, Chicago should be able to secure reasonable returns for players who contribute nightly and remain young enough to appeal to teams seeking backcourt depth or long-term upside.

Marc Stein Report: Bulls Expected to Be Active in the Trade Market Again

According to a recent report from longtime NBA insider Marc Stein, the Bulls may be preparing to reshape portions of their roster before the February trade deadline. Stein’s reporting adds significant credibility to the growing belief that Chicago intends to operate as sellers — or at least opportunistic movers — in the coming weeks.

“The Bulls are widely expected to participate in some sort of in-season trade for the second winter in a row,” Stein wrote. “Rumbles persist this winter that the Bulls are eager to make a move by capitalizing on some of their expiring contracts … with both Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu most frequently mentioned as potential outgoings.”

The key here is Stein’s emphasis on “capitalizing” on outgoing contracts. The Bulls have a history of holding onto players too long, only to lose them with minimal return or no return at all. The organization’s track record on asset management has frequently drawn criticism — most memorably in the handling of the Zach LaVine situation, Lonzo Ball’s injury timeline, and other mid-tier pieces that lingered on the roster long after their peak trade windows.

Stein’s reporting indicates that the Bulls may finally be willing to break that pattern.

Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu: Young, Valuable… Yet Tradeable

The Bulls’ situation with White and Dosunmu is more complicated than a simple trade-or-keep decision. Both guards are young — White is 25, Dosunmu is 26 — and both have developed increasingly reliable roles in Chicago’s system. Their age profiles fit a long-term plan, and each player has shown flashes of being more than just a rotational contributor.

But their contract status is the real driving force behind the trade chatter.

Both players are approaching the end of their current deals and would be eligible to leave in unrestricted free agency this summer. If White or Dosunmu walks — and there is strong belief around the league that at least one of them could — the Bulls would lose significant value without getting anything back.

That possibility alone elevates their trade viability.

According to previous reporting from ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Bulls have already been quietly exploring the market for both players, gauging what level of return they could command. Stein’s new report only reinforces what Siegel’s earlier insights suggested — that Chicago is not merely listening to offers but actively scanning the league for pathways to rework its roster.

Coby White: Rising Value Meets Contract Reality

White, in particular, has gained considerable attention thanks to his growth as an offensive threat. After years of inconsistency, White has fought his way into a meaningful role, showcasing improved decision-making, scoring efficiency, and versatility. He has become one of the few reliable sparks on a Bulls offense that often grinds through the mud.

Because of his improved play, Chicago expects a real return — ideally a first-round pick or a valuable young player. But because of his expiring contract, that price tag may not be met.

If the Bulls cannot secure premium value, the organization must decide whether White is worth re-signing or if moving him now is the smarter long-term choice.

Ayo Dosunmu: A Defensive Anchor and Transition Piece

Dosunmu’s defensive effort, speed, and multi-position versatility have made him a fan favorite and a dependable part of the rotation. His ability to guard ones, twos, and even some threes gives Chicago lineup flexibility. Offensively, he has made strides as a slasher and improved shooter.

But Dosunmu’s free-agent status mirrors White’s. If the Bulls believe other teams will offer him a more substantial contract this summer, trading him now becomes a logical move.

Chicago’s Big-Picture Challenge: Breaking Out of NBA Limbo

The core problem Chicago faces isn’t about White or Dosunmu specifically. It’s about direction.

Are the Bulls interested in competing for a top-four seed in the East? If so, trades must bring back proven contributors who fit alongside DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine (if healthy), and Vucevic.

Or — as many fans hope — will the organization finally commit to a rebuild, prioritizing youth and future picks? If that’s the case, White and Dosunmu become assets to be flipped, not foundational pieces.

Right now, Chicago sits in the middle — and staying in the middle is the worst possible outcome.

The Road Ahead

With the trade deadline fast approaching, all signs point toward the Bulls making at least one significant in-season move. Whether that includes Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, or another veteran remains to be seen. But the combination of insider reporting, contract timelines, and the franchise’s stagnant trajectory suggests a shakeup is not just possible — it may be necessary.

For a team that continues to hover around .500, the weeks ahead will determine whether Chicago finally chooses a direction. The decisions made now will impact the Bulls’ identity, future flexibility, and the structure of their roster for years to come.

The only thing that seems certain is this: Chicago cannot afford to repeat past mistakes. This time, they must act decisively.