Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (0) reacts with center Nikola Vucevic (9) during the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Chicago Bulls issue bold statement after NBA trade deadline

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Feb 5, 2026 10:13 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls were one of the most active teams leading up to the NBA trade deadline on Thursday. The front office made several bold moves that will significantly impact the organization’s short- and long-term objectives.

The biggest move for Chicago was trading two-time All-Star big man Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons and a 2026 second-round pick. The Bulls also sent Coby White to the Charlotte Hornets. In exchange, Chicago received Collin Sexton and Ousmane Dieng, who was also traded.

The Bulls also sent Dalen Terry to the New York Knicks for Guerschon Yabusele and cash considerations. Kevin Huerter was shipped off to the Detroit Pistons for Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley (also traded). The Bulls also offloaded Ayo Dosunmu and Julian Philips to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Rob Dillingham, Leonard Miller and four second-round draft picks. Finally, Chicago also acquired Nick Richards from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Dieng.

Chicago Bulls Executive VP Artūras Karnišovas’ bold statement after NBA trade deadline

Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President Artūras Karnišovas spoke to the media a few hours after the 3 p.m. trade deadline. Karnišovas expressed his excitement amid the team’s flurry of moves.

Karnišovas also issued a bold statement about what the future holds for Chicago after such an eventful trade deadline.

“Play-in is not the goal. Championship is,” Karnišovas said, via K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network. “We have made meaningful shift in terms of roster building.”

The Bulls aren’t considered serious championship contenders this season. As of writing, they are 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 24-27 record. If the NBA playoffs started today, the Bulls would be in the play-in.

Karnišovas made it clear, however, that this is not the Bulls’ objective. They want to be a legitimate threat to the title, and they have taken the necessary steps towards this goal with their trade-deadline moves.

Karnišovas emphasized the flexibility his team come the offseason. They dumped millions of dollars in salaries over the past 48 hours or so, while also acquiring future-facing assets. The Bulls are not going to win a championship this season, but they are determined to change the narrative in the not-so-distant future.

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

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