Chicago Bulls trade deadline grade revealed

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Eric Root | Last updated Feb 6, 2026 12:51 PM ET

The Chicago Bulls completely overhauled their core roster leading up to the NBA trade deadline . The team moved on from Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Nikola Vucevic, Kevin Huerter, and Dario Šarić for a bunch more guards and an insane amount of second-round picks.

While many fans are rightfully confused and angered over some of these trades, Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz gave the Bulls an A- grade and said “there’s a lot to like moving forward” regarding these questionable moves.

The Chicago Bulls received an A- grade for their trade deadline moves

Apr 22, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas (right) talks with general manager Marc Eversley (left) before game three of the first round for the 2022 NBA playoffs against the Milwaukee Bucks at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Swartz specifically named the trade for Jaden Ivey as “one of the best trades of the entire deadline”.

The Bulls traded both Huerter and Šarić for the 2022 fifth overall pick. Swartz explained that with Ivey’s young age of 23, he still has a lot of potential and could be the early favorite to be the Bulls’ shooting guard of the future.

“Ivey no longer looked like a core piece for a rising Detroit Pistons team, yet he owns career averages of 14.9 points and 4.9 assists a game and is still only 23. He’s the early favorite to become the team’s shooting guard of the future.”

The Bulls also added four second round picks and Rob Dillingham from Minnesota in return for fan favorite Dosunmu. Dillingham could eventually turn into a solid rotational guard, according to Swartz.

Swartz gave the Bulls a very high grade for the trade deadline, despite failing to add a legitimate big man to their roster and having way too many guards on their team.

Another Bulls rebuild is on the way

Nov 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

It seems the Bulls will be looking to begin yet another rebuild. With the overhaul of their roster, it seems the Bulls have a shot to finally get back in the draft lottery after years of being stuck in the play-in tournament.

Hopefully, Chicago can get a top pick in the 2026 draft and add to its core of Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.

Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas speaks during Chicago Bulls Media Day. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

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

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