The Chicago Bulls will be one of the most interesting NBA teams to watch this offseason, as they are armed with cap space and a pair of first-round draft picks.
The Bulls also benefited from some extraordinary luck in the lottery, landing the fourth overall selection. That should give them the opportunity to select either Caleb Wilson or Cameron Boozer (hopefully, it’s Wilson).
But in the meantime, Chicago’s name will surely be connected to a bunch of names both in free agency and the trade market. The Bulls have money to spend, so it’s entirely possible they will swing a major move for a star player this summer.
We’ve already heard Chicago linked to free agents like Austin Reaves and Jalen Duren (although the less said about Duren, the better), and while the trade block has yet to really take shape, some players are being speculated as early candidates to be moved.
One such player is Minnesota Timberwolves big man Julius Randle, and the Bulls are already being warned to stay away.
Chicago Bulls should avoid Julius Randle like the plague
May 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half during game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
On paper, Randle seems enticing. He averaged 21.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and five assists per game on 48.1/31.5/80.2 shooting splits during the 2025-26 regular season, and he has made three All-Star teams throughout his career. But after his latest playoff failure in the Timberwolves’ second-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs, it’s clear that Chicago should avoid trading for him.
Andrew Hanlon of Pippen Ain’t Easy broke it down perfectly.
“In Games 2 through 6, he averaged 11.2 points on 32.2 percent shooting from the field and 13.3 percent from deep. His massive dud in Game 6 — he scored three points on 1-for-8 shooting — ultimately doomed the Wolves,” Hanlon wrote. ” Minnesota was outscored by 34 points in his 24 minutes on the floor. Thirty-four points! The Bulls can’t afford to add a player like Randle.”
That’s the truth.
Randle has long been the definition of an “empty numbers” player. He’ll fill up the box score, but he doesn’t have the greatest impact on winning and gets exposed in the playoffs. In 42 career postseason contests, he is shooting just 41.1 percent from the floor and owns a true-shooting percentage of 47.9 percent.
That isn’t going to cut it, and with Randle being 31 years old and having two years left (including a player option) on his contract, the Bulls should undoubtedly look elsewhere for frontcourt help.
The good news is that new executive Bryson Graham probably won’t even entertain a trade for Randle.
Report suggests Chicago Bulls turned down more trade offers at deadline
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