Bulls News

Key Chicago Bulls Player Returning to Team: Report

The Chicago Bulls nearly traded a young guard, but he will reportedly stay with the team
Feb 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; (from left to right) Chicago Bulls forward Julian Phillips, guard Ayo Dosunmu, forward Jalen Smith, and guard Coby White are seen during a game against the Toronto Raptors at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images
Feb 28, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; (from left to right) Chicago Bulls forward Julian Phillips, guard Ayo Dosunmu, forward Jalen Smith, and guard Coby White are seen during a game against the Toronto Raptors at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

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The Chicago Bulls have mostly had a quiet offseason. They traded Lonzo Ball to the Cleveland Cavaliers straight up for Isaac Okoro and re-signed Tre Jones, but are otherwise waiting to resolve the restricted free agency of Josh Giddey.

The Giddey saga seems to be caught in a stalemate, as the guard wants a contract similar to what the Orlando Magic gave Jalen Suggs at around $30 million per year, but the Bulls have most of the leverage with no market for Giddey, so they're trying to lock him into a lower number.

Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu
Jan 29, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu (11) controls the ball during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images | Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

Chicago may also have had an interest in working out a sign-and-trade with the Golden State Warriors for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. Since they have no interest in moving Coby White, it was believed they could've put Ayo Dosunmu could be on the table for trade. However, it seems that it is no longer the case.

KC Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network provided the latest update on Dosunmu, saying he believes Dosunmu will be back on the Bulls next season.

"The Bulls did have substantive talks, I'm told, with a Western Conference playoff team earlier this offseason regarding Dosunmu, but the two teams could not find common ground on a trade package. And all signs for now point to Ayo Dosunmu returning."

Dosunmu is entering the final year of his contract, and he is on a good number at $7.5 million. That's great value for someone who averaged 12.3 PPG and 4.5 APG as a secondary playmaker.

If the Bulls can't find a trade package or come to an agreement on a contract extension, this could become another example of poor asset management from the Bulls' front office.

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Austin Veazey
AUSTIN VEAZEY

Austin Veazey joined NoleGameday as the Lead Basketball Writer in 2019, while contributing as a football writer, and started as editor for MavericksGameday in 2024. Veazey was a Florida State Men’s Basketball Manager from 2016-2019. Follow Austin on Twitter at @EasyVeazeyNG

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