The 2025-26 NBA season has not gotten off to a great start for the Chicago Bulls.
Despite coming into the season with hope of seeing a big turnaround from recent years, the Bulls are just 9-12 at this point in the year. Granted, it’s still early in the season, but the team has a lot of work to do to get back to the expectations they had for themselves.
So far this season, one of the main bright spots for Chicago has been Josh Giddey. After re-signing during the NBA offseason to a very lucrative long-term contract, Giddey has exploded to begin the year. In 19 games played, the 23-year-old point guard has averaged 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game, while shooting 48.6 percent from the floor and 39.1 percent from three-point distance.
While the Bulls haven’t been great so far this year, there have been a lot of rumors surrounding Chicago being a potential player in the trade market.
Anthony Davis has been one name that has mentioned in the Windy City. The Bulls have also been speculated as a potential trade destination for other players around the league.
Keeping that in mind, Dan Favale of Bleacher Report has named a very intriguing potential trade target for Chicago. In a new column, he suggested that Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II could be a potential player to watch for the Bulls.
Nov 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) looks on during an NBA Cup game between the Mavericks and the Clippers at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
“Injuries and all, Dereck Lively II may prove too ambitious,” Favale wrote. “Yet, with absences piling up and his extension-eligibility on the horizon, he could be more gettable than at any point over the past three trade deadlines.”
Lively would be a nice addition for Chicago. He has shown flashes of being a special player, but his role has not been consistent with the Mavericks. Injuries have played a major factor to begin his NBA career as well.
So far this season, Lively has played in just seven games and made four starts. Last season, he played in 36 games and made 29 starts, averaging 8.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks per game.
Making an aggressive trade for a player with a concerning injury history might not be a wise decision for the Bulls. However, if Lively can live up to his full potential, Chicago could be acquiring a long-term centerpiece if it were to trade for him.
Chicago Bulls get sad label after 9-12 start
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