The Chicago Bulls are off to a rocky start, sitting at 1-3 after two blowout losses. This ugly beginning is not a sign to panic, but a clear signal that the front office needs to act fast. The squad’s core consists of 22-year-old Matas Buzelis, 24-year-old Josh Giddey, and franchise player 20-year-old Caleb Wilson. Yet, the roster is clogged with veterans who do not fit this new timeline. It is time to trade Norman Powell and Nicolas Claxton before their value drops to zero.
The Timeline Mismatch
Chicago is building for the future, but it is carrying players from the past. Norman Powell is 33 and Nicolas Claxton is 27, while the team’s stars are all under 25. According to Pippen Ain’t Easy, the 33-year-old Powell and the 27-year-old Claxton are fairly imperfect fits for a team on a rapid progression curve. Sticking with them hurts the development of young talent. The front office needs to clear the deck to give Wilson and his peers the help they need to grow.
Claxton is a proven big man with great defensive skills and playmaking ability. However, his contract makes him a perfect trade chip. He is owed $23,320,738 for the 2026-27 season and $21,099,720 for 2027-28 before hitting free agency in 2028. Per Pippen Ain’t Easy, a team needing a defensive big without a long-term commitment would find Claxton appealing enough to yield a first-round draft pick. That is the exact kind of asset the Bulls need to stack.
Maximize Current Value
Fresh from earning All-Star status during the 2025-26 season, Norman Powell stays among the league’s premier three-point shooters. He can score at will and fit into any offensive system. Reports note that Powell could command a first-round draft pick and might even bring back up-and-coming talent that other teams would deprioritize. Trading him now turns a short-term scorer into long-term building blocks. It is a classic move for a team trying to rise.
The Bulls have only three established long-term building blocks, and there are still question marks surrounding Buzelis and Giddey. To boost a largely untested bench, the organization must scour the trade market for depth pieces. It is frightening to consider trading away two of their limited established players. However, Pippen Ain’t Easy notes that acting immediately to cement their rising status will make the trade market a valuable ally for the Bulls.
Caleb Wilson is already showing he can carry the load, leading the team in scoring with 21.0 points per game. He is willing to take difficult shots and compete on defense. The young core is ready to take the next step, but they need the right pieces around them. The Bulls cannot wait until the deadline passes to fix a problem that is obvious today.
