It would be a massive risk for Chicago, but making a draft-night deal with the Orlando Magic could modernize and balance the Bulls' roster, better preparing them for a playoff push in a weakening Eastern Conference.
Per insider Jake Fischer on The Stein Line Substack, the Magic are one of three teams, along with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets, that are looking to trade up into the back half of the lottery in the 2025 NBA Draft.
As the Bulls hold the No. 12 pick, they would be a logical candidate.
Orlando has the Nos. 16 and 25 picks in the first round; a simple swap of draft selections could make sense for both teams.
However, the Magic are openly looking to fill a key hole in their roster as they too make a push toward the top of the East. Chicago and Orlando could expand that simple pick exchange into a larger, more franchise-altering trade.
Bulls, Magic could make draft-night megadeal
There have reportedly been discussions in Chicago's front office concerning a hesitancy to commit to a long-term backcourt of Josh Giddey and Coby White. The pair is poor defensively, and trading one of them could be a significant, albeit painful, step toward building a more structurally sound defense.
Orlando is in need of a scorer and facilitator to take some of the burden off star forward Paolo Banchero. Jalen Suggs is one of the best defenders in the NBA at the guard spot, but isn't a No. 1 scoring option. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a disappointment as a free agent signing last summer.
Cole Anthony has been inconsistent. Franz Wagner is better suited at the three or four and has struggled with his outside shot.
Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman didn't hold back publicly about his team's need for a lead scoring guard, per Fischer, saying, “What we need is proven shot-making, proven offensive play, someone that's going to come in and help augment our weakness.”
Fischer mentions Darius Garland, Trae Young and Malik Monk as options for Orlando and adds that the organization had discussions about acquiring De'Aaron Fox at last year's trade deadline. White is the type of player Weltman is looking for: a proven shot-maker and distributor who can play on or off the ball and score at all three levels.
White would also be cheaper to acquire than Garland or Young and would fit better with the Magic as a lower-usage guard.
If Orlando is interested in the Bulls' No. 12 pick and would be willing to offer its two first-rounders in exchange, Weltman and Chicago VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas could discuss the cost of adding White into the deal. Sending Jonathan Isaac, a defensive wizard when healthy, to Chicago would make the finances work.
Another future first-round pick or two could be enough to push the deal over the line. Orlando has access to its 2027, 2029 and 2031 first-rounders and several second-rounders over the next six years.
If the Bulls can get a package of four first-round picks (including two in this draft) and Isaac for White and No. 12, Chicago may have to let the 25-year-old head to greener pastures and add assets to its on-the-fly franchise retooling.
