🚨 BULLS MAKE A BIG SPLASH: Chicago’s Massive Trade Deadline Overhaul Puts Focus on Building Around Josh Giddey 👇

The Chicago Bulls’ Trade Deadline Frenzy: The 2026 NBA trade deadline proved to be one of the busiest in recent memory for the Chicago Bulls. The team made a total of seven trades, resulting in an almost complete overhaul of their roster. Seven players came in, while seven others were sent out, and perhaps the most eye-catching part of the Bulls’ moves was their acquisition of nine second-round picks. This massive increase in draft capital nearly triples their assets and sets up the franchise for the future.

But what was the reasoning behind such a drastic shake-up? The answer seems to be clear: the Bulls are officially tearing down and starting over. After years of middling results, Chicago has decided to embrace a full rebuild. Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas made the decision to restructure the team midway through the season, and it’s clear that this shift in direction is about laying the groundwork for long-term success.

Karnišovas’ Vision for the Bulls’ Future: Amid the chaos of the trade deadline, Karnišovas made his priorities known. The centerpiece of his vision for the Bulls’ future is a young core centered around Josh Giddey, the talented 6-foot-8 point guard who has shown promise since being acquired. Along with Giddey, another key player in the Bulls’ rebuild is Matas Buzelis, and Noa Essengue, the 12th overall pick in the draft, is also expected to play a significant role.

The moves made by the Bulls at the deadline were clearly designed to complement these young building blocks, particularly Giddey, and provide the team with the necessary pieces to develop into a championship contender over time.

A Guard-Heavy Rotation: Despite already having a loaded backcourt, the Bulls made an unexpected move by acquiring four more guards at the trade deadline. In total, four of the seven players acquired were guards, adding even more depth to the position. The team did trade away a couple of guards, Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White, but the focus remained on strengthening the guard rotation.

In addition to Dosunmu and White, wings like Dalen Terry and Kevin Huerter could be loosely classified as guards, but the takeaway is clear: Chicago is now overloaded at the position. The reason behind this influx of guards is rooted in Giddey’s unique skill set.

Giddey’s Unique Skill Set: Giddey is no ordinary point guard. Standing at 6-foot-8, he provides the Bulls with an unusual option at the point guard position. His size alone makes him a standout, but what truly sets him apart is his ability to run the offense as a pass-first guard. Giddey thrives in transition, directs the offense with precision, and plays an unselfish game that makes his teammates better.

However, Giddey isn’t known for being a prolific scorer. While his shooting has improved, he’s not the type to look for his own shot 20 times a game. Instead, Giddey’s role is to create opportunities for others, and this is where the newly acquired guards come into play. These players are meant to complement Giddey’s strengths and provide the scoring punch that the team needs.

Adding Scoring Without Overloading the Ball: While the Bulls didn’t go after high-volume shot-chuckers like Cam Thomas or Jordan Poole, they made some calculated moves by acquiring Anfernee Simons, Collin Sexton, Jaden Ivey, and Rob Dillingham. These guards are capable of scoring, but they’re not the type to take low-percentage shots just for the sake of getting points on the board. Instead, they excel at isolation scoring and spot-up shooting, which makes them perfect fits alongside Giddey.

Simons, Sexton, Ivey, and Dillingham are all capable shooters. Simons is hitting 44.0% of his catch-and-shoot threes, Sexton is at 46.0%, Ivey at 37.9%, and Dillingham at 38.9%. This efficiency as shooters off the ball allows Giddey to continue controlling the offense while these guards provide scoring opportunities when needed.

The Challenge of Fitting in Smaller Guards: While these newly acquired guards all bring something to the table, they share a common trait: they’re all small by NBA standards. None of them are true point guards in the traditional sense (apologies to Ivey), and none are particularly tall for their positions. This creates some challenges in terms of fitting them into the lineup. The four players combined for just 14 starts before being traded to Chicago.

However, Giddey’s size provides some flexibility. His unique height at the point guard position allows the Bulls to pair him with smaller guards without sacrificing size or defensive capability. Simons, Sexton, Ivey, and Dillingham can all play their natural positions without having to worry about being overpowered by bigger opponents. This positional flexibility gives the Bulls a strategic advantage as they can match up against the opposing team’s smallest player without compromising their own size.

Giddey’s Downhill Attack and Guard Complementation: Giddey isn’t just a facilitator—he’s also an effective downhill attacker. While not relying purely on athleticism, his herky-jerky driving style uses his size to get to the rim and create opportunities for others. The guards that Chicago acquired complement this driving style with their own quick-twitch athleticism. While some may be quicker than others, all of them can add another layer of speed and ball-handling to the backcourt, providing support for Giddey’s efforts to break down defenses.

This synergy between Giddey’s driving ability and the speed and skill of the newly acquired guards should give Chicago an even more potent offense as they work to become a more well-rounded team.

Looking Ahead: The Bulls’ Rebuild Strategy: The Bulls’ trade deadline strategy was focused not just on moving players out but on adding players who complement their centerpiece in Giddey. These additions signal a clear intention from the front office: the future is built around Giddey, and the Bulls are committed to creating a supporting cast that helps him thrive. With a promising young core and newfound depth, the Bulls are aiming for a bright future, even if they had to tear things down to get there.

While the addition of more guards might raise some questions about the team’s balance, the overall vision is clear. The future is about building a high-powered backcourt and surrounding Giddey with the right pieces to succeed. Chicago’s post-trade deadline efforts may not lead to immediate success, but the foundation for long-term growth is certainly in place.