Hanifan’s Offseason Outlook: Evaluating the Chicago Bulls’ 2025 offseason

For our second annual offseason outlook series, Hot Hot Hoops senior writer Matt Hanifan will provide his take on the offseasons of all 30 teams for the next 30 days! We will proceed in alphabetical order, starting with the Eastern Conference. Today, we will be hitting the Chicago Bulls’ offseason.

Past Previews:

Sept. 1: Atlanta Hawks
Sept. 2: Boston Ce l tics
Sept. 3: Brooklyn Nets
Sept. 4: Charlotte Hornets

Evaluating the Chicago Bulls’ 2025 offseason:

Additions: Isaac Okoro

Subtractions: Lonzo Ball, Josh Giddey (free agent), Talen Horton-Tucker (UFA), E.J. Liddell

Re-signed: Tre Jones

Draft: Noa Essengue (No. 12), Lachlan Olbrich (No. 55)

Hanifan’s outlook: The Bulls enter 2025-26 coming off their fourth-straight play-in appearance and second-straight 39-win season. Their biggest move of the offseason was flipping Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro, which was more poor asset management on the Bulls’ part after what was reportedly available at the deadline.

Ball does have notable health concerns. But they sold low on an expiring contract to take on more guaranteed money not only in 2025-26, but the following season as well.

Chicago did have an overabundance of guards last year. But Okoro doesn’t help alleviate that, though he is a palatable defender and (corner) 3-point shooter.

I can’t say I was a big of fan of Essengue — relative to where they picked him — pre-draft. I was much lower on him than the consensus; he’s going to have to get much stronger to compete at the NBA level and will have to improve his shot significantly. Olbrich was an interesting flier. He’s a skilled — albeit unathletic — big.

Josh Giddey remains a free agent. Last summer, I was down about the trade and, to a certain extent, I was very wrong. I don’t think Chicago should give him the desired $30 million annually, but anywhere in the $20-25 million range wouldn’t be bad for either side.

I do, however, like the Bulls bringing back Billy Donovan. He’s a legitimately good coach who knows how to adapt. That matters! Don’t be fooled by his record.