The Chicago Bulls sent Rob Dillingham to the Charlotte Hornets for Buddy Hield and cash Saturday. NBA insider Jake Fischer says Chicago is likely to explore trading Hield during his deal; it guarantees $9.7 million this season and has a $10.1 million player option for 2027-28.
Chicago’s veterans are meant to help develop its young players and could also bring future draft capital in trades. Hield, 33, is coming off his worst season as a pro but has been a reliable three-point threat for most of the past decade and is projected to fill a lineup need. Fischer said Chicago considered Jonathan Kuminga and Bennedict Mathurin for a similar purpose and suggested Norman Powell could build trade value; Powell has a team option after this season.
Other possible trade pieces include Zach Collins, whose deal pays $8.5 million annually and has a team option for 2027-28, and Tre Jones, owed $8 million over the next two seasons with a team option next summer. Chicago could also look to move Isaac Okoro and Jalen Smith, both set to become unrestricted free agents in 2027.
