The Bulls Would Be Making A Massive Mistake If This Trade Rumor Is True

Arturas Karnisovas has undergone one of the most unexpected changes in approach during this year’s trade deadline. After three consecutive seasons of zero deals at the cutoff, last year he shipped off Zach LaVine for salary-filling role players and low-grade draft capital, and this season, he’s gone to a whole new level. Chicago has already executed three transactions, and several more are expected to follow. Kevin Huerter, Nikola Vucevic, Jevon Carter, and recently acquired Dario Saric are all already gone, and not much ground has been made in terms of roster turnover. The Bulls have added two guards and two draft picks, but are now depleted in the frontcourt. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu were the most anticipated trade assets heading into this week, and both are still with the organization. Recent reports have given a brief idea of what Karnisovas is planning to do and what needs to be done before Thursday’s deadline.

Ayo Dosunmu For Bennedict Mathurin Swap

According to K.C. Johnson of CHSN, the Bulls have been interested in adding the Indiana Pacers’ shooting guard. At just 23 years old and having already been part of an NBA Finals run, he brings size to the guard position, playoff experience sorely lacking on this roster, and scoring prowess at all three levels. While Mathurin might be a solid, young, athletic addition, which is what Karnisovas specifically said Chicago is seeking, a swap for Dosunmu would be counterproductive. He’s due for an extension this summer, which’ll likely surpass what Chicago’s current guard requires, and he’s a very similar player. Dosunmu has already proven he’s comfortable off the bench or in the starting five, has reached a new level of scoring efficiency and defensive versatility this season, and has earned his place in the franchise’s future.

Per @JakeLFischer: there have been talks between the Bulls and Pacers about a potential Benedict Mathurin for Ayo Dosunmu swap.

How we feeling about this? pic.twitter.com/LhFGqTIm4N

— SleeperBulls (@SleeperChicago) February 4, 2026

Mathurin would be a more viable option if the Bulls had not recently added two young guards to the rotation. Jaden Ivey, 23 years old, and Anfernee Simons, 26 years old, were traded for yesterday, and barring Karnisovas flipping either or both players, the role that Mathurin would fill is already occupied.

Turning Focus To Big Men

The general assumption, based on several reports, is that White and Dosunmu are next in line to go. Even with their departure, the Bulls would still have Tre Jones, Josh Giddey, Anfernee Simons, and Jaden Ivey, so they don’t need to acquire any more guards for the rotation. This also factors in the reports from Chris Haynes that Chicago does not intend to retain Mike Conley. Instead, especially with the loss of Nikola Vucevic, they need to make finding rim-protection their top priority. Head coach Billy Donovan has already said Zach Collins could be shut down for the remainder of the season, leaving Jalen Smith, who has missed nine games to injury, and rookie Lachlan Olbrich, who has appeared sparingly in 14 games, to fill the void.

Billy Donovan on Zach Collins potentially being shut down for season depending on when he gets boot off: “That could happen.”

Giddey is still having hamstring tightness.

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 3, 2026

Instead of continuing to add young guards on expiring contracts, AK and his group need to pivot to finding youthful, athletic big men who provide rim-protection and a future at their most sorely lacking position.