Chicago Bulls Eye NBA Finals Talent

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly among the four teams in pursuit of Bennedict Mathurin, a key player from the 2025 NBA Finals team, the Indiana Pacers. Mathurin's impressive performance in the playoffs, where he averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, has caught the attention of several teams, including the New Orleans Pelicans, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Los Angeles Clippers.

What Comes Next?

The Bulls have been actively rebuilding their roster this offseason, following a disappointing 31-51 record last season. They have made significant moves, including the hiring of new executive vice president of basketball operations, Bryson Graham, and the appointment of former NBA player Tiago Splitter as their new head coach. The team has also signed veteran guard Norman Powell to a two-year, $45 million contract and acquired defensive center Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets in a trade.

Building an Identity

Graham emphasized the importance of establishing an identity for the team, stating, "We're definitely not where we want to be, but we're establishing an identity." He believes that the team's rookies, including forward Caleb Wilson and guard Dailyn Swain, will be key in setting the tone for the squad next season. Graham is banking on the team's defensive prowess, saying, "The fastest way to find playing time and opportunity is on the defensive side of the ball."

Recent Form

The Bulls have struggled in their recent games, with a last result of 149-128 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on April 13, 2026. Their recent form has been 2 wins and 3 losses in their last 5 games, with losses in their last two games.

Building Around Josh Giddey

The Bulls are building their roster around young players like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and incoming rookie Caleb Wilson. Graham is optimistic about the team's prospects, saying, "We're not addressing every skill yet. A lot of people might (ask), 'Where is the shooting at?' and things of that nature. I'm not typically worried about that right now." The Bulls are far from contendership status, but their recent moves suggest they are on a positive trajectory.