With a 128-126 win vs. the Jazz on Wednesday, the Bulls are 19-21 this season. As of Friday, January 16, that is ninth in the Eastern Conference.
Since the 2017-18 season, the Bulls have been an average team at best in the NBA. They have won 40+ games just twice since then. Fans have questioned the franchise’s direction over the years. Recently, Bulls insider Joe Cowley reported that the team could be active near the trade deadline. He said executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas will have a “realistic” asking price come February 5.
Who will Chicago part ways with at the 2025-26 deadline?
The Bulls could finally look to blow it up and have realistic asking prices on their players, per @JCowleyHoops
“According to several league sources, going back to last year’s trade deadline Karnisovas has been more transparent in trade talks and realistic in asking prices. The… pic.twitter.com/hG8qUCkJva
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 15, 2026
In recent years, the Chicago Bulls have been a mediocre franchise at best. The team has one playoff appearance in the last eight seasons. In three consecutive years, the team has won 40, 39, and 39 games. That ceiling won’t be enough in the East if they want to contend. Ahead of the February 5 deadline, Chicago could reportedly be active in trades. Bulls’ insider Joe Cowley reported that executive vice president of basketball operations, Arturas Karnisovas, has been transparent in trade talks.
Karnisovas said the Bulls will have “realistic” asking prices compared to last season’s deadline. Rival executives around the NBA believe that Chicago will be willing to part ways with key pieces. That’s because the Bulls have seven expiring contracts this offseason. This includes Zach Collins, Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Huerter, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter, and Dalen Terry. Would the team keep players like Vucevic and White past the deadline and lose them for nothing to free agency in the summer?
The Chicago Bulls want an unprotected first-round pick for Coby White, per @BrettSiegelNBA
(Via @BullsCentralYT) pic.twitter.com/THGeczuKzS
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) January 15, 2026
Joe Cowley noted that Arturas Karnisovas is in a tough spot. He is dealing with the damage that Chicago has created over the last three to four seasons. For the first time in his career with the Bulls front office, Arturas is feeling pressure to make a move. That’s why rival executives believe the Bulls will be active at the deadline. Last month, Joe Cowley reported that the Timberwolves inquired about Coby White’s availability.
The Bulls have been hovering near seventh to 10th in the East for quite some time. Chicago cannot get over the hump and become a powerhouse. This version of the Bulls’ roster has played its course. Key players like Nikola Vucevic and Coby White have been with the team for six-plus seasons. However, the Bulls continue to underachieve. Expect Arturas Karnisovas to be active ahead of the February 5 trade deadline to try to retool the Bulls’ roster.
