The Chicago Bulls are moving down — but not out — in the second round of the NBA draft.
The Bulls made a swap Thursday morning with the Los Angeles Lakers, trading the No. 45 pick for the No. 55 pick and cash considerations, per a report by ESPN.
General manager Marc Eversley hinted after Wednesday’s first round that the Bulls were considering a trade down in the second round. The Bulls currently have 12 players under contract for the 2025-26 season, a number that will jump to 13 if they complete expected plans to re-sign Josh Giddey. The roster is expected to undergo further change before the start of the season, but this overstuffed lineup of guaranteed contracts makes the draft a bit of a puzzle for the Bulls this year.
The Bulls already added young talent by selecting French teenager Noa Essengue with the No. 12 pick. Essengue is only 18 years old — and won’t turn 19 until December — which means the Bulls will take their time developing him into a regular rotation player.
If the Bulls still choose to pick in the second round, that player would have to make a considerable impression during summer league in Las Vegas to muscle out a spot on an already crowded roster.
The second round of the NBA draft will begin Thursday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN.
Who is Noa Essengue? 6 things to know about the Chicago Bulls’ No. 12 pick in the 2025 NBA draft.