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This is the Bulls’ most important offseason in a long time.
VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas went all in during the 2021 offseason, adding Alex Caruso, Lonzo Ball and DeMar DeRozan to the team. He also traded for Nikola Vučević a few months earlier at the 2021 deadline. Those moves worked — briefly. Chicago held the best record in the Eastern Conference until Ball tore his meniscus. Since then, the Bulls have been stuck in the play-in tournament.
Last offseason, they moved on from Caruso and DeRozan and traded Zach LaVine at the deadline. Those moves signaled a shift. The front office finally looked towa rd the future. Still, the result was the same: another play-in exit.
This offseason, though, there’s a real foundation. Josh Giddey had a breakout year. Rookie Matas Buzelis impressed as the No. 11 pick. Breaking up LaVine’s contract into three expiring deals gave the Bulls financial flexibility. But none of that will matter if the front office can’t capitalize this summer.
This offseason, the Bulls will need to improve their roster through four avenues: the draft, trades, free agency, and player development
THE DRAFT
The Bulls were a coin toss away from being able to draft Cooper Flagg, who would’ve been the simplest way for them to get better this offseason. Instead, the Bulls hold the No. 12 pick in a deep class.
Obviously, there is a huge drop-off from picking in the top half of the lottery compared to the bottom, but there are lottery-esque players projected to go in the middle of the first round.
A pre-draft or draft night trade that includes Coby White, Ball or Vučević could land Chicago a late first-rounder — another shot at a rookie who can contribute early.
If their top target is gone at No. 12, they may trade back. The Thunder (No. 15 and 24) and the Nets (No. 8, 19, 26, 27) are possible partners who could package multiple firsts for No. 12. That would let Chicago add a pick while still drafting a player with similar value.
Although the Bulls desperately need rim protection, they are not tied to any player long-term and should remain flexible on draft night by focusing on the best player available.
Derik Queen is projected to go 12th overall to the Chicago Bulls in The Athletic’s latest NBA mock draft:
“The Maryland big man would fit that quite well, as he’s at his best in transition in grab-and-go situations off the glass.”
: (boogcb/X) pic.twitter.com/P3QJi71zGk
— Inside Maryland Sports (@Terrapins247) June 12, 2025
TRADES
The Bulls are expected to be active in a trade-heavy offseason. White, Ball and Vučević are the top names in rumors. They’re also the only core players left from the 2021 roster.
White holds the most value. He’s on a great deal and would be a strong one-year rental for a contender. He becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer and could double his salary. If the Bulls don’t think he will re-sign, they should trade him to at least get something back instead of letting him walk for nothing.
Ball’s situation is trickier. He was expected to be moved at the deadline, but the Bulls extended him instead. He’s now a fallback option for teams, like the Mavericks, pursuing Jrue Holiday. Dallas might be willing to trade a future late-first to secure their point guard while Kyrie recovers. A pick in the late 20s is not very valuable to a team with a short window.
Vučević is the most obvious player to trade. He’s the oldest on the team and doesn’t fit with the Bulls’ fast-paced playstyle. Chicago seems to be stubborn with their price for Vučević, a first-round pick, which is the reason he wasn’t traded during the season. He’s linked to the Warriors, but they do not have a first-round pick this year. The Bulls could package their second-round pick with Vučević or Ball to acquire another first-round pick.
FREE AGENCY
Priority No. 1 should be Josh Giddey ’s contract. He’s a restricted free agent, which gives Chicago control of his situation. The front office doesn’t need to negotiate — just match the best offer on the market. Only the Brooklyn Nets have the cap space to offer Giddey $30 million in the first year of his deal. While $30 million seems like a lot, that is under the average cost for a starting point guard next season.
"I'd be stunned if he's not back in a Bulls uniform."@KCJHoop on the offseason ahead for Josh Giddey, who raised his play down the stretch of his first season in Chicago. #ChicagoLead pic.twitter.com/VPLNQQNcg1
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) April 17, 2025
Giddey’s deal will also impact White’s future. White is set to hit unrestricted free agency next year and will earn $30+ million per season. The most Chicago can offer right now is a four-year, $89 million extension. That’s a bargain — and it boosts his trade value. But White is unlikely to accept, knowing he can make more on the open market. The Bulls will have the cap space to offer him a huge deal next offseason.
Tre Jones and Talen Horton-Tucker also will hit free agency this summer.
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Everyone looks forward to what new players their team will get in the offseason, but developing the players currently on the roster is important. Buzelis is the building block of the future who needs to gain size and consistency. Giddey has a chance to be the highest-paid player on the team and is only 22 years old. Billy Donovan has to work with the front office to figure out how to develop the newcomers to Chicago.
The good news is that Buzelis and Giddey grew last season. Buzelis became a starter and showed flashes of his potential, while Giddey progressed on defense and shooting, his two biggest weaknesses. The bad news is that the Bulls fired Peter Patton, their former director of player development. Bulls fans should value development as much as any other phase of the offseason after Patrick Williams has failed to improve since his rookie season.
Some motivation from @Stacey21King
@BuzelisMatas | @AyoDos_11
(via Ayo Dosunmu | YouTube) pic.twitter.com/jwQmkb29Yu
— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) June 10, 2025
The Bulls have been stuck in mediocrity since Tom Thibodeau left. This offseason could be the start of a new era of Bulls basketball.
More must-reads:
- Five NBA teams that aced the offseason
- Report reveals how hard Warriors tried to trade for LeBron James
- The '2024-25 NFL rushing touchdown leaders' quiz
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TODAY'S BEST
Report reveals how hard Warriors tried to trade for LeBron James
The Golden State Warriors have been linked to LeBron James on occasion over the last 18 months, but their interest in trying to trade for the Los Angeles Lakers star may be stronger than has been previously reported. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line reported this week that the Warriors would likely have some interest in James if the Lakers were ever to entertain a trade. To that end, the Warriors have called the Lakers on “multiple occasions” over the last 18 months to gauge the Lakers’ willingness to trade James. The report adds that there is a strong belief that James and Steph Curry very much enjoyed their time together as teammates during the 2024 Summer Olympics, which is one motivator for Golden State. The Lakers, of course, have not been willing to trade James, even though there were some hints of trouble between the two sides this summer. It is fair to question whether the Warriors would have the resources to pull off such a trade even if it were plausible. It is accurate that the Warriors are likely to be linked to James in any case where he is perceived to be available. Pairing him and Curry together would likely be a result of the Warriors trying to make one last run at a championship during the twilight of Curry’s career.
Celtics Notes: Anfernee Simons Trade Update, Boston Urged to Sign All-Star, Jayson Tatum Gets Honest
Former Yankees Outfielder Rips Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman
Browns HC, Shedeur Sanders clear air on controversial benching during two-minute drill
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders appeared to be frustrated with Kevin Stefanski when the head coach took him out for the final offensive drive of Saturday's preseason game. The Browns made a curious decision to put in Tyler Huntley to lead the offense in the final two minutes of their final preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams at Huntington Bank Field. Huntley, who has almost no chance of making the 53-man roster, engineered a six-play, 46-yard drive that ended in a game-winning field goal to give the Browns a 19-17 win. Following the game, Stefanski was asked about why Sanders approached him before Huntley went in. Stefanski claimed the rookie quarterback was just being a competitor, and there was nothing more to it than that, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Sanders told reporters he didn't know the Browns were benching him for the two-minute drill. "I didn't know I was out, Sanders said via video from ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. "I was on a bike that was powering up... I was powering up for that two-minute drive. Because that's just a situation every quarterback dreams for... I thought I was in. So then (Stefanski) told me I wasn't in. I was like, 'Ok.'" Sanders left the game after leading the offense to five straight punts. He struggled in his second preseason appearance, going 3-of-6 passing for 14 yards. The fifth-round pick took six sacks for -50 yards. Sanders didn't want to leave on that low note. The Browns shouldn't have let him. Stefanski should have given Sanders the chance to run the two-minute offense and gain valuable experience instead of giving reps to a player who won't be on the roster by Tuesday afternoon.
Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur Makes ‘Bittersweet Admission After NFL Preseason Win Against Seahawks
CFB Week 0 winners, losers: Fourth-down decisions loom large in ranked Big 12 showdown
The 2025 college football regular season kicked off on Saturday, headlined by a ranked Big 12 matchup across the pond in Ireland. With Week 0 in the books, here are our winners and losers from the first weekend of the college football season. Winner: Going for it on fourth down with a chance to win the game Arguably, two fourth-down decisions were the most consequential in Associated Press No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones' 24-21 win over Big 12 rival No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats. Let's start with the good. With 2:26 remaining in the fourth and facing a fourth-and-3 from Kansas State's 16-yard line, Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell elected to keep his offense on the field instead of kicking a field goal and taking a six-point lead. The decision was correct on multiple fronts. By settling for a field-goal attempt, Campbell would have given Kansas State, which had no timeouts, over two minutes to score a possible winning touchdown. The risk of failing to convert was offset by allowing Kansas State the ability to extend the game with a field goal as opposed to needing a touchdown to win. And again, if the Wildcats got in the end zone, would it really have mattered if Iowa State lost by one instead of four points? The Cyclones didn't have to worry about that. Instead, quarterback Rocco Becht found running back Carson Hansen, who picked up the first down, allowing Iowa State to run out the clock. Loser: Going for it on fourth from your own 30-yard line in a three-point game Conversely, Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman's fourth-down call from his own 30-yard line with 8:19 remaining was much less excusable. While his defense had just allowed two long scoring drives, putting them on the field with only 30 yards to defend was setting the unit up to fail. As much of a rhythm as Iowa State's offense may have found, it also had three three-and-outs and two fumbles to that point, so we're not exactly talking about 2019 LSU here. Rather than forcing the Cyclones to drive the field, Klieman handed them a golden scoring opportunity. Winner: Kansas State defensive end Tobi Osunsanmi It wasn't all bad for the Wildcats. Osunsanmi, a junior edge-rusher, established himself as a name to watch in the Big 12 with two first-quarter sacks. The class of 2022 recruit had 3.5 sacks all of last season and could eclipse that early in 2025. Loser: Dan Mullen trading the studio for the sideline The former Mississippi State and Florida head coach returned to the sideline on Saturday for his first game leading the UNLV Rebels. While he notched a win against FCS Idaho State, it didn't come easily. UNLV trailed, 31-24, in the fourth, before scoring 14 unanswered points in a 38-31 win. For someone who most recently spent his Saturdays in the fall watching games as an ESPN analyst, his new job is already exceptionally more pressure-inducing. Just wait until the Rebels play FBS competition. Winner: Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels This is the Daniels that was promised. After breaking through in 2022 when Kansas snapped a 13-year bowl drought, Daniels was limited to three games in 2023 due to injury. Last season, he was healthy for the Jayhawks' disappointing 5-7 campaign and threw a Big 12-high 12 interceptions. He was outstanding in a 31-7 win over Fresno State, going 18-of-20 for 176 yards and three touchdowns while adding 47 yards rushing. If this is the Daniels that Kansas gets all season, it could make serious noise. Loser: Refs' judging of Clay Patterson's dance moves Stanford defensive lineman Clay Patterson celebrated a 12-yard sack late in the first half against Hawai'i by breaking out a TikTok dance, which officials apparently weren't fond of, hitting him with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, resulting in an automatic first down. It's another reminder that no one despises fun more than college football referees. But until they discover a sense of humor, it would be best for Patterson to save his moves for TikTok.
Steelers Get Promising News Regarding The Return Of Several Playmakers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a rash of injuries following the 2025 preseason, headlined by an MCL Sprain to first-round pick defensive end Derrick Harmon in their third and final game. However, there might not be anyone they need to get healthy more than wide receiver Calvin Austin III, who suffered an oblique injury early in camp and has yet to play in 2025. With depth lacking at the position, the Steelers will need Austin to be ready to go right away - and they just received a promising update regarding his status. With the team practicing on Saturday, the status of several players was brought up by Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin. "It's good to get guys working their way back. We have some guys that have been limited in their participation and less so today. Guys like Calvin Anderson, Calvin Austin, Jonnu [Smith], [Cory] Trice, Juan [Thornhill], and Donte Kent," Tomlin explained. While Austin had been practicing individually the past few days, he missed all three preseason games for Pittsburgh. Austin was less than clear when asked if he would be ready for Week 1, so it's good to get some confirmation that he is ramping up and the team is optimistic. Austin, the 5'9" speed threat out of Memphis, had a breakout year in 2024. After not playing his rookie season and having a limited role in 2023, Austin had a career high 36 receptions, 548 yards, and 4 touchdowns in his latest season. It wouldn't be a surprise to see those numbers explode even more in 2025 with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers under center, but first, Austin has to get healthy. Steelers Getting Healthier As Regular Season Approaches As Tomlin mentioned, several other faces returned to practice in addition to Austin. Among those were new tight end Jonnu Smith, who was traded to the Steelers from the Miami Dolphins in June after a career season. Smith hasn't played in a game yet either this year, although it's less clear if his absence was injury related or simply a matter of resting a veteran. Other returning players include cornerback Cory Trice, safety Juan Thornhill, offensive tackle Calvin Anderson, and defensive back Donte Kent. While getting all of these players back is crucial, there's no position that's thinner for Pittsburgh than wide receiver. Without Austin in the lineup, the Steelers are depending on Roman Wilson, who played just 5 snaps in 2024, to fill the role of WR2 behind DK Metcalf. Wilson showed a lot of promise in college at Michigan, and has had a strong preseason, but has yet to prove it in the regular season. The Steelers are aware that they lack receiver depth as well, and are still open to bringing in outside help at the position. On Tuesday, free agent wide receiver Gabe Davis had a second visit with the team, although he left without a contract. While the Steelers are depending on a number of players in the 2025 season, there's not a position group they can afford an injury to less than wide receiver. If an injury were to strike Metcalf or Austin again, the outlook would be bleak. While there's still no promise that Austin will be ready to suit up for Week 1, his participation in practice is surely a step in the right direction.
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