3 East Bottom Dwellers Set to Leave the Chicago Bulls in Their Dust

The Eastern Conference is only getting better, and multiple teams that have regularly fallen behind the Chicago Bulls in recent years are ready to climb the ladder.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Chicago Bulls face an uphill battle in the Eastern Conference, as teams like the Charlotte Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and Washington Wizards are poised to surpass them in the standings. The Hornets have a young, talented core led by LaMelo Ball, the Pacers are still viewed as a Finals contender despite their current struggles, and the Wizards have made aggressive moves to add Trae Young and Anthony Davis to their roster. The Bulls' inability to take advantage of these teams when they were down could signal a need for the franchise to reevaluate their priorities and long-term strategy.

Why it matters

The Bulls' struggles to keep pace with their Eastern Conference rivals could force the franchise to make tough decisions about their future direction. With the Hornets, Pacers, and Wizards all on the rise, the Bulls may need to choose between playing for the long-term or trying to compete in the short-term, which could have significant implications for the team's roster and draft assets.

The details

The Charlotte Hornets have surged in recent weeks, winning 11 of their last 13 games and boasting one of the league's best offenses. Led by a young core of LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel, and Brandon Miller, the Hornets appear to have turned a corner and are no longer the dysfunctional franchise the Bulls could count on. The Indiana Pacers, despite their current struggles, are still viewed as a Finals contender and have made moves to bolster their roster for the future, including acquiring Ivica Zubac. The Washington Wizards, meanwhile, have made aggressive trades to add Trae Young and Anthony Davis to their roster, signaling their intent to compete at a high level next season.

  • The Chicago Bulls took a step backward at this season's trade deadline.
  • The Charlotte Hornets have won 11 of their last 13 games, surging up the Eastern Conference standings.
  • The Indiana Pacers hold a 15-40 record at the All-Star break, the NBA's fourth-worst mark overall.
  • The Washington Wizards made trades to add Trae Young and Anthony Davis to their roster, eyeing a playoff push next season.

The players

LaMelo Ball

A young star point guard for the Charlotte Hornets who has helped lead the team's recent surge.

Tyrese Haliburton

An All-Star caliber guard for the Indiana Pacers who has missed significant time due to injury this season.

Trae Young

An All-Star point guard acquired by the Washington Wizards in a trade, who the team hopes can help them return to the playoffs.

Anthony Davis

A star big man acquired by the Washington Wizards in a trade, who the team hopes can help them return to the playoffs when healthy.

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The takeaway

The Chicago Bulls face a daunting challenge in the Eastern Conference, as several teams that have traditionally lagged behind them in the standings have made significant strides and are poised to overtake the Bulls in the coming seasons. The franchise must carefully evaluate its priorities and long-term strategy to avoid being left behind in an increasingly competitive conference.