The biggest mistake Chicago Bulls fans could make this offseason? Chasing a one-dimensional scorer. The surprising reality is that the only move worth their most flexible assets is a sign-and-trade for Denver Nuggets wing Peyton Watson. While the league has shifted away from pure scorers, the Bulls have a specific hole that only Watson can fill. This isn’t about filling a roster spot; it’s about securing a player who fits the exact vision of defense and athleticism the team needs.
The Only Player Who Fits the Vision
Chicago has already made big moves this summer. They added Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain to the young core. They also signed Nic Claxton and Norman Powell to help the team survive the new NBA lottery system. These moves were smart, but they leave the 15th roster spot open. The team does not need to make more moves unless the perfect opportunity appears. According to Pippen Ain’t Easy, a sign-and-trade for Watson is that rare chance. He is 23 years old with plenty of room to grow. He took a huge leap last season when he played a bigger role in Denver.
His numbers prove he is ready for this step. Watson averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists last year. He shot 49.1% from the field and 41.1% from three-point range. Those are the stats of a player every team wants. Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Milwaukee Bucks lead the pursuit for him. But the Bulls have the tools to beat them if they play their cards right. They have the contracts and the draft picks to make a deal happen.
The High Price of Getting It Done
Getting Watson won’t be easy or cheap. Teams can only take back half of a player’s annual value in a sign-and-trade. This means the Bulls would need to send somewhere between $12 and $15 million in expiring salary to Denver. A combination of Isaac Okoro, Jalen Smith, Tre Jones, and Leonard Miller might satisfy the required figures. They would also need to add a bunch of draft picks. Any trade involving Watson reportedly demands an impactful player from the Denver Nuggets. It is hard to say if Jones or Okoro counts as impactful enough for Denver.
If the Bulls can’t beat the other suitors, they must stop trying. They should hold their cards until the trade deadline. Sacrificing their expiring contracts for a bad deal would be a disaster. The Bulls simply can’t afford to waste their assets if the price is too high. The window for Watson is narrow, but the cost could be even narrower. The team has to be ready to walk away if the numbers don’t line up perfectly.
Why One-Dimensional Scorers Are a Trap
The NBA has changed how it pays players. Over the last ten years, the game has moved away from isolation scoring and midrange shots. Teams now value three-pointers, rim attacks, and fast breaks. The league wants multi-skilled players who can do everything. The salary cap has grown, but the money for pure scorers is shrinking. In 2016, Evan Fournier got a five-year, $85 million deal for just scoring. Otto Porter Jr. got a four-year, $106.5 million contract in 2017. John Collins got a five-year, $125 million deal after dunking in the 2021 playoffs.
Those days are gone. The 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement changed the rules. By the 2025 offseason, the Brooklyn Nets restricted free agent Cameron Thomas accepted a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer. He was waived by the Nets at the end of the 2026 trade deadline. Thomas then signed a minimum contract with the Milwaukee Bucks on Feb 08, 2026. He played 18 games before the Bucks waived him on Mar 23, 2026. This shows that the league no longer pays for players who only score. The Bulls must learn this lesson. Chasing a scorer like Thomas would be a waste of money and assets. Watson offers defense, scoring, and size. That is the only profile worth the price tag.
Sources: Pippen Ain’t Easy (FanSided Bulls)
