Recent Report Proves That Chicago Is Actively Trying To Fix This Problem
The Chicago Bulls front office has been the most active in the NBA over the last four days. This is a sentence that many fans in Chicago never would’ve expected to become reality after the last decade of relatively quiet deadline activity, and Arturas Karnisovas proving time and time again to be stingy around the cutoff. While that sounds like great news and something for the entire city to celebrate, there are some gaps left in the aftermath. Although he still has almost 24 hours to complete the overhaul, one massive void remains. In a recently leaked trade offer by NBA insider Jake Fischer, Karnisovas is well aware of it and is actively working to fix it.
Needing To Fill The Center Position
Yesterday afternoon, the Chicago Bulls sent Nikola Vucevic to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons, a 26-year-old guard on an expiring contract. Many fans were excited to see the franchise finally move on from the aging big man, not just because he was a complete liability defensively, but mostly because he represented the continuation of mediocrity. Holding onto a 35-year-old center on an expiring contract would’ve nearly guaranteed that Karnisovas did not have a rebuild in mind, but would rather win now. That was the decision he opted for in each of the last three seasons. With their starting big man gone, and nothing substantial on the roster to take his place, that has to be the next move. He’s already swung and missed on one attempt to add a rim-protector.
TRADE BUZZ: The Cavs rejected an offer of Nikola Vucevic and a 1st-round pick for Jarrett Allen, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/C8o3Gdt10N
— US/UKsportsHQ (@GOsisike) February 4, 2026
This was also confirmed by Marc Stein, NBA correspondent and host of The Stein Line. Even though this was a whiff, it’s promising to see that AK recognizes there’s a roster issue and is pushing to correct it.
Yves Missi Still On The Radar
Aside from aiming nuclear for a target like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Zion Williamson, the only other target that Chicago has been tied to is Yves Missi. He’s 21 years old, has been in and out of the rotation for the New Orleans Pelicans, and Derik Queen’s rookie campaign has made Missi more expendable. Can Chicago muster up an appealing package now with their flurry of second-round draft picks and young guards?
The Bulls, Knicks, Pacers and Raptors are among the teams continuing to show trade interest in Yves Missi.
The Pelicans are holding out for a future 1st in any potential deal involving Missi, but no team has upped their offer thus far. pic.twitter.com/KKLC9OjS9J
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) February 4, 2026
The Bulls are unwilling to part with a first-round pick, but, as with their desire to land that level of draft capital for Coby White, a slightly lower offer may get the job done. Pairing several late draft picks with one of the young guards they recently acquired could move the needle and wrap up Chicago’s chaotic trade deadline.
If they walk away with Yves Missi and two of the three recently acquired guards, was this trade cutoff a successful week for Karnisovas and the front office?