Bulls Make Flurry of Trades at NBA Deadline

Chicago Bulls make several moves to position themselves for the future

Feb. 5, 2026 at 7:47pm

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The Chicago Bulls were active at the NBA trade deadline, making a series of deals to acquire young talent, draft capital, and shed salary. The team traded away veteran center Nikola Vucevic, guard Coby White, and fan-favorite Ayo Dosunmu, while bringing in players like Jaden Ivey, Anfernee Simons, and Nick Richards. The Bulls' front office was praised for their savvy maneuvering to set the team up for the future, though some fans were disappointed to see popular players depart.

Why it matters

The Bulls' trade deadline activity signals a shift in the team's direction, as they look to build around their young core of Matas Buzelis, Noa Essengue, and Josh Giddey. By acquiring draft picks and shedding salary, the Bulls have positioned themselves to be active in the upcoming NBA Draft and free agency periods as they aim to return to contention in the Eastern Conference.

The details

The Bulls' key moves included trading Vucevic to the Celtics for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick, sending Coby White to the Hornets in a deal that brought in Collin Sexton and Ousmane Dieng, and parting ways with Ayo Dosunmu in a trade with the Timberwolves. The team also acquired Jaden Ivey in a three-team trade and brought in veteran center Nick Richards. Overall, the Bulls made seven trades at the deadline, shedding salary and adding young talent and draft capital.

  • The NBA trade deadline passed on February 6, 2026.

The players

Nikola Vucevic

A veteran center who the Bulls traded to the Boston Celtics.

Coby White

A guard who the Bulls traded to the Charlotte Hornets.

Ayo Dosunmu

A popular guard from Chicago who the Bulls traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Jaden Ivey

A young guard acquired by the Bulls in a three-team trade.

Anfernee Simons

A guard acquired by the Bulls in the trade that sent Nikola Vucevic to the Celtics.

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The takeaway

The Bulls' trade deadline activity signals a shift in the team's direction, as they look to build around their young core and position themselves for future success. By shedding salary and acquiring draft capital and young talent, the Bulls have set themselves up to be active in the upcoming offseason as they aim to return to contention in the Eastern Conference.