Bulls’ newest free agency prediction comes with painful twist

Imagn Images

Bulls’ newest free agency prediction comes with painful twist

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated May 24, 2026 2:22 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls are armed with expansive cap room heading into the NBA offseason, so they are expected to make some serious noise this summer.

The Bulls won just 31 games this past year and have only posted one winning campaign over the last decade, so they are starving for success. Luckily, they’ll have a great opportunity to expedite their rebuild in the coming weeks and months, and new top executive Bryson Graham seems determined to make that happen.

Of course, Chicago will have to be careful with how it spends its money in free agency. There have already been numerous top free agents connected to the Bulls, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they would be great fits for the club.

Chicago must tread carefully, and Graham surely understands that.

In the latest set of free agency predictions by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey, however, the Bulls were seen on the wrong end of a painful twist.

Chicago Bulls expected to lose Anfernee Simons in ironic fashion

Feb 19, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Anfernee Simons (22) shoots against the Toronto Raptors during the second half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Back at the trade deadline, Chicago acquired Anfernee Simons in a deal with the Boston Celtics, right after the Bulls sent Coby White to the Charlotte Hornets.

Chicago’s decision to jettison White was entirely understandable. White is headed toward free agency himself, and the Bulls did not appear to have any interest in re-signing him. Simons was supposed to replace White as the team’s microwave backcourt scorer the remainder of the season, but he played just six games before going down with a fractured wrist.

Now, Chicago stands to lose Simons to the open market, as well, and Bailey is projecting that Simons will land with none other than the Hornets.

So, not only did Chicago ship White to Charlotte for minimal return, but it might also lose Simons to the Hornets, as well. By the way, Bailey thinks White will sign with the Brooklyn Nets, which is why he thinks Charlotte will pivot to Simons.

Simons averaged 14.3 points per game on 44.0/38.5/89.6 shooting splits this past season. He’s definitely a solid player, and the Bulls will have to find another guard who can match that production, whether that comes via free agency, trade or the NBA Draft.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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