Chicago Bulls Enter Trade Season as One of the Most Active Teams — But One Player Must Not Be Moved

The Chicago Bulls have once again entered the NBA’s trade-deadline spotlight, but this season feels different. Rival executives, league insiders, and national reporters have all pointed to Chicago as one of the most active teams in the trade market, with the front office exploring a broad range of scenarios as February approaches. With more than five expiring contracts on the roster, another season trending toward the play-in at best, and the franchise still far from contention, many around the league believe this may finally be the year the Bulls choose to reset.

Blowing it up has been discussed for years but never fully executed. This time, signs suggest the reset may be inevitable. If Chicago finally pulls the trigger on a long-overdue roster shakeup, Coby White and Nikola Vucevic are widely expected to be among the most likely departures. Both players hold value, both are on expiring deals, and both have drawn interest from multiple teams seeking immediate upgrades.

But as the Bulls explore trade options, one name consistently included in rumor mills should be handled with extreme caution: Ayo Dosunmu. While his contract situation and on-court production make him an attractive asset, the Bulls should resist the temptation to move him unless a genuine superstar becomes available — a scenario that is highly unlikely.

Why Ayo Dosunmu Must Stay in Chicago

The Timberwolves are showing interest in Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Tre Jones, per @JCowleyHoops

“Another trade partner for the Bulls to keep an eye on is the Timberwolves. They have star guard Anthony Edwards and his supporting cast of center Rudy Gobert and forwards Julius… pic.twitter.com/tCjTIGwLpS

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 21, 2026

The Bulls have tough decisions to make, but trading Ayo Dosunmu should not be one of them. Despite being mentioned frequently as a potential trade chip, Dosunmu has emerged as a critical piece of Chicago’s future, and the franchise would be making a significant mistake by shipping him out for anything short of a franchise-altering return.

Dosunmu’s value goes far beyond his box-score contributions. His growth this season, combined with Chicago’s evolving vision for its next core, places him in a tier distinct from the Bulls’ other expiring players. Unlike White, Dosunmu fits seamlessly with the team’s long-term roadmap centered on Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis — two players the front office has identified as foundational to the franchise’s next era.

Giddey, acquired as part of Chicago’s pivot toward a more versatile playmaking identity, projects to handle the majority of the primary ball-handling duties. Because of this, there is limited long-term space for White to play his preferred position at point guard, especially given the defensive challenges created by pairing him with Giddey.

A backcourt of Giddey and White presents significant defensive vulnerabilities. Giddey’s defensive limitations cannot be hidden next to the undersized White, who, despite his scoring prowess, remains a below-average defender at the point of attack. In contrast, Dosunmu’s size, length, athleticism, and defensive instincts provide the exact counterbalance required alongside Giddey and Buzelis.

Minnesota Shows Interest — But Chicago Must Resist

The Minnesota Timberwolves have expressed interest in Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Tre Jones, per @JCowleyHoops and reporting amplified through NBA insider circuit accounts like NBACentral. Minnesota views Dosunmu as a potential defensive glue piece who can complement Anthony Edwards, providing rim pressure, positional defense, and efficient scoring without needing heavy usage.

But despite Minnesota’s interest, Chicago cannot afford to treat Dosunmu as simply another asset. He is more than a trade chip — he is an organizational fit.

The Bulls’ roster construction finally appears to be taking shape around athletes who can play multiple positions, defend across the perimeter, and operate effectively off the ball. Dosunmu checks every one of those boxes, and his development this season has only strengthened the case for keeping him long-term.

Dosunmu Has Become a More Efficient, More Versatile Scorer

In his fifth season, Ayo Dosunmu is playing the best basketball of his career. He is averaging career highs across the board, despite logging the fewest minutes per game of his NBA tenure. His scoring efficiency, both from the field and from three-point range, has reached new levels. Dosunmu has developed into a reliable spot-up shooter, an opportunistic slasher, and a transition weapon who thrives in moments where pace and decisiveness matter most.

What makes Dosunmu truly irreplaceable is how he scores. Unlike White, who often needs on-ball reps to find rhythm, Dosunmu remains efficient even with reduced touches. That type of scalable scoring is rare in young guards — and invaluable for a franchise building around Giddey’s ball-dominant style and Buzelis’ projected high-usage scoring role.

His ability to score without dribbling the air out of the ball, cut off movement, and attack when the defense is already compromised allows him to complement virtually any offensive structure the Bulls want to implement moving forward.

Defense Is the Deciding Factor

Should the Bulls prioritize keeping Ayo Dosunmu, Bulls Nation?

🗣️ @Will_Gottlieb on Ayo's recent play:

"He's really in tune with what the team needs from him." pic.twitter.com/RmbjdMsQUN

— CHGO Bulls (@CHGO_Bulls) January 20, 2026

The most defining difference between White and Dosunmu — and the primary reason Chicago must keep the latter — is defense.

Dosunmu’s defensive versatility is among the best on the roster. He can guard ones, twos, and small threes. His lateral quickness, strength, and instincts make him a trusted option against elite scorers. His defensive upside fits perfectly next to Buzelis, whose frame and length project well but whose defensive awareness will take development time. It also protects Giddey, who will require support on the perimeter.

There is no scenario where moving Dosunmu improves Chicago’s defense. There are several scenarios where losing him sets it back years.

Dosunmu Will Be Cheaper to Keep

Even as his production rises, Dosunmu remains a more economical long-term signing than White. White’s scoring averages, shot creation ability, and older résumé with higher box-score numbers will likely drive up his next contract. Meanwhile, Dosunmu’s next deal — while deservedly respectable — will almost certainly be more team-friendly.

In other words, Dosunmu offers:

• Better defensive fit

• Better positional versatility

• Higher efficiency with fewer touches

• Lower future financial commitment

For a front office that claims to prioritize flexibility and long-term growth, the correct choice becomes clear.

Ayo Has Passed the “Prove-It Year” Test

Arturas Karnisovas hinted before the season that this year would effectively function as a prove-it season for many players. Those who demonstrated they could be part of the next iteration of Bulls basketball would remain; those who did not would be moved.

Dosunmu has answered that challenge emphatically. His efficiency, defense, improved shooting, and adaptability check every box. He has become one of the few players whose effort and execution consistently align with the identity the organization claims to be building.

As CHGO Bulls reporter Will Gottlieb recently noted, “He’s really in tune with what the team needs from him.”

That’s not something a franchise in transition should be eager to trade away.

Final Verdict: Chicago Must Keep Ayo Dosunmu — No Matter What

If the Chicago Bulls are serious about moving forward — truly forward — they must draw a line somewhere. The team cannot trade every young or promising piece and expect to build a functional core around Giddey and Buzelis. Dosunmu should be the line.

Unless a superstar unexpectedly becomes available, the Bulls should reject any trade offers involving Ayo Dosunmu. He fits the system. He fits the future. He fixes defensive gaps the team cannot afford to deepen.

As the trade deadline approaches, the Bulls may move several pieces. They may redefine their roster and reshape their trajectory. But in that process, they cannot afford to lose sight of the bigger picture:

Ayo Dosunmu should stay in Chicago.