CHGO Chicago Bulls Podcast

The CHGO Bulls crew react to ESPN’s new Future Power Rankings list, rating all 30 NBA teams based on their current three-year outlook. The Chicago Bulls are ranked 28th, thanks mostly to low scores for the talent on their roster and the management team of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley. But they did earn higher marks for their financial situation and draft capital. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb discuss whether the Bulls being ranked 28th is fair or foul. Plus, the guys review the 79 Greatest International Players list from HoopsHype, and play some Bulls Trivia!

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The CHGO Bulls crew discuss whether the Chicago Bulls’ biggest roster hole is on the defensive end, and if newly acquired Isaac Okoro can fill that void. ESPN’s Kevin Pelton diagnosed the biggest roster hole for all 30 NBA teams entering the 2025-26 season. He chose “defensive disruption” as the Bulls’ biggest hole. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb debate whether that is the team’s biggest roster flaw. How far can Okoro go to help establish the team’s defensive identity, as Arturas Karnisovas stated during a Summer League interview? The crew issues their “Prove It” goals for Okoro this season...

The CHGO Bulls crew discusses the latest developments between Jonathan Kuminga and the Golden State Warriors and the latest rumors surrounding the Chicago Bulls' interest in him. If the qualifying offer rumors are true, will the Bulls be the first team to pounce when Kuminga reaches unrestricted free agency next year? How does Kuminga fit into the Bulls cap plans? And where will he eventually land with the Warriors?

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The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the hugely important upcoming season for Chicago Bulls guard Coby White. Jake Fischer reaffirmed on his latest Insider Notebook for Bleacher Report that White will be seeking at least $30 million per year in his next contract. Entering the final season on his current deal, what must Coby do on the court to prove he’s worth that big of a contract and long-term investment by the Bulls? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb issue their “Prove It” goals for Coby this season. Plus, the guys react to the Bulls announcing their 2025 Ring of Honor induct...

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss whether the 2025-26 Chicago Bulls season is the most important year to date in the Arturas Karnsisovas and Marc Eversley Era. With the DeMar-Zach-Lonzo years officially behind them, and a younger core of players trying to make noise in the East, what must AKME get right this season to put the Bulls on the best track forward? What happens if this season starts to spiral? The stakes are low for the executives with fresh contract extensions, but the stakes couldn’t be higher for getting this rebuild (that isn’t a rebuild) right. Peck, Big...

The CHGO Bulls crew continues to break down Josh Giddey's new four-year contract with the Chicago Bulls. Which player, specifically starters, will benefit most from Giddey staying in Chicago long-term? Is it Matas Buzelis, Giddey's alley-oop partner? Or Kevin Huerter, who will be on the receiving end of his drive and kicks? Maybe it's his backcourt teammate Coby White? Matt Peck, Big Dave, and Will Gottlieb discuss. 
 

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss their goals for Ayo Dosunmu in the 2025-26 Chicago Bulls season. The Chicago native and Bulls fan favorite is coming off of season-ending shoulder surgery, but is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery and ready for training camp. What must Ayo prove this season, playing on the final year of his current contract? And will he become a serious trade candidate now that Josh Giddey has been paid, and the organization will also have to pay big money to keep Coby White? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb react to a Bleacher Report...

The CHGO Bulls crew continue their discussion on Josh Giddey signing a 4-year, $100 million contract to remain a key roster piece for the Chicago Bulls. How will his contract impact the next steps in Arturas Karnisovas’ roster-building plan? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb look at the Bulls’ books and try to map out potential deals for Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, and determine cap space in the coming years. Plus, what must Josh Giddey prove this season to validate his contract and AK’s vision of him as a cornerstone of the franchise?

BREAKING NEWS: the Chicago Bulls and Josh Giddey have agreed on a four-year, $100 million deal. Now that the wait is finally over, the CHGO Bulls crew breaks down the reported extension that locks Giddey in with Chicago on a long-term deal. Is $25 million annually good value? Could the Bulls have squeezed him harder in negotiations? Matt Peck, Big Dave, and Will Gottlieb discuss.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss Billy Donovan’s induction into the Hall of Fame, and what he must do prove himself with the Chicago Bulls in the 2025-26 season. Several players who’ve played for Donovan - including current Bulls - showed up to support their coach, who’s seemingly beloved by all those who play for him. Coby White was among those singing his praises. But being well-liked isn’t enough to win at the highest level. So, what will be the biggest challenges facing Donovan this year? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb kick off their annual “Prove It”...

On this episode of CHGO Bulls, See Red Fred of the Big Red Bus podcast joins Big Dave and Will Gottlieb in studio. They discuss new changes to the NBA All-Star Game. Will it help increase viewership and competitiveness? They also discuss Billy Donovan will being inducted into the Hall Of Fame this weekend. Plus, Issac Okoro was the big off-season move for the Chicago Bulls. Is he the 3 and D answer the Bulls have been looking for? Will he be the starter on opening night? Also, Hoops Hype released there Top 26 power forwards in the league and no...

On this episode, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb get into the news from Bobby Marks that the Bulls offered Josh Giddey 4yrs 88 million. Should Giddey take this offer? Should the Bulls be willing to increase it? Plus, Cam Thomas has signed a QO with the Nets. What does this news mean for other RFAs and more importantly, Josh Giddey? How will this effect his ongoing contract negotiations with the Bulls? Also, what if Josh Giddey takes the QO and balls out or stinks? What would be the options for him and the team for either outcome? Finally, the crew...

On this episode of CHGO Bulls, the crew continues to celebrate the BBBSA Month Of Giving! Big Dave and Will Gottlieb discuss Nikola Vucevic announcing his retirement from his Montenegro National team (but not from the NBA). How much time does he have left on his NBA career? Plus, Talen Horton-Tucker may be taking a deal to go to the Euroleague. What does this mean as far as a roster spot for the Bulls? Also, the crew breaks down the Bulls bench rotation. Who will be the first player off the bench...Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry, Kevin Huerter? Whose...

On this episode of CHGO Bulls, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb help kick off the CHGO/ALL CITY Big Brothers and Big Sisters Month of Giving! President and CEO of BBBS Metropolitan Chicago Jeremy Foster joins us for a segment to talk about the incredible foundation and what you can do to help the youth of Chicago and nationwide. Plus, we ask the question what's the biggest unknown for the Chicago Bulls 2025-26 season? Is it Josh Giddey continuing what he did in the second half of last season? Is it Coby White becoming an NBA All-Star? Or Matas...

On this episode of CHGO Bulls, the crew discuss all things Chicago Bulls with special guest co-host of the Big Red Bus Podcast Doug Thonus. We discuss Josh Giddey and the Bulls front office still not having a contract signed. When is the time to be concerned about the lack of a deal? Should Giddey look more towards taking a qualifying offer? Also, Ayo Dosunmu’s newest vlog details his trip back to U of I includes some INTERESTING thoughts about the Bulls making the playoffs this season. Will Ayo be ready to go for training camp? Plus, the Bu...

The Chicago Bulls are once again being doubted on the national stage, as ESPN projects them to miss even the NBA Play-In Tournament this season. On this one, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb dive into ESPN’s prediction and what it means for Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Coby White. Can the Bulls prove the doubters wrong and make a push in the Eastern Conference playoff race? Plus, Nikola Vucevic gave an interview to BasketNews where he discussed his relationship with AK, patience from the fans and staying in Chicago. Is he happy with his time with the team?Al...

On this episode, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb talk with draft expert and basketball analyst for the Hornets Live Terrence Oglesby, about Noa Essengue and if he sees big potential in his game. They also ask him if he has big expectations for Matas Buzelis going into year 2, and what he feels about Josh Giddey as a player. Would he give Giddey the contract he's asking for if he were the GM? Also, Sam Vecenie from The Athletic said on his Game Theory Podcast that Josh Giddey should sit out some games if he and the FO can't come...

The CHGO Bulls crew discusses the possibility of Zion Williamson or Giannis Antetokounmpo requesting a trade, and whether the Chicago Bulls would make an offer to land either player. As part of their “Summer Forecast” series leading up to the 2025-26 NBA season, ESPN conducted another round of survey questions, including which superstar players are most likely to be the next to request a trade. Zion and Giannis came in #1 and #2. Making a bold trade offer for either player would seemingly be in contrast with the Arturas Karnisovas “slow and steady” approach with his roster overhaul and development. But, what wou...

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the ideal path forward for the Chicago Bulls, knowing that the team’s VP Arturas Karnisovas has zero interest in tanking or trading for draft picks. Chicago Sun-Times beat reporter Joe Cowley wrote over the weekend about AK’s insistence on trying to build through the middle, and the complications that presents. Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb try to establish what a path back to legitimate contention without tanking would look like. Would trades be involved? What about the team’s cap space in both 2026 and 2027? And how much can the team bank on intern...

The CHGO Bulls crew dive into the new NBA2K26 rankings, with Coby White, Josh Giddey and Nikola Vucevic all cracking the Top 100. Are there ratings fair or foul? Will any of their teammates be Top 100 material by the end of the 2025-26 season? Plus, the crew shares some of their favorite moments from Bulls Fest 2025, including Will Gottlieb’s interview with former Bulls center Eddy Curry!

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss today’s announcement from the Chicago Bulls that the Derrick Rose Jersey Retirement ceremony will take place on January 24, 2026 after their home game against the Boston Celtics. What will the night entail, in addition to Rose’s jersey going to the rafters? Matt Peck and Will Gottlieb make some predictions. Plus, the guys deliberate what Billy Donovan’s starting lineup and main rotation will be to begin the season. Who will start between Kevin Huerter and Isaac Okoro? Who earns more minutes, Zach Collins or Jalen Smith? And which younger players will be left out of...

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss some striking statistical splits from Josh Giddey in both his first Chicago Bulls season and his final season with Oklahoma City. Why did he have such poor starts in each season, along with very strong finishes? Is this a pattern that will repeat itself in 2025-26, or are there more context clues to explain each season’s trend as a special case? Peck and Will Gottlieb welcome back former CHGO Bulls contributor and good pal Mark K to help them analyze it! The guys also get Mark’s takes on a variety of offseason move...

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss a recent redraft of the 2024 NBA Draft from The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, with Matas Buzelis being selected 6th overall. Is this the rightful spot for Buzelis, or should he be even higher? What about if Matas was in the 2025 draft class, where would he have been drafted? Peck and Will Gottlieb also talk with Chicago Bulls Director of Basketball Programming Kyle Cummings. Plus, the guys react to an update on the Nikola Vucevic buyout rumor and some Bulls development staff promotions.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss new NBA shooting guard rankings from HoopsHype, which have Chicago Bulls guard Coby White listed at #12. Is this a fair ranking? Peck and Will Gottlieb analyze the players above and below White in the rankings, and talk about a particularly worrisome stat in HoopsHype’s explanation of where Coby landed. Plus, the guys react to the Bulls 2024-25 roster’s less than impressive finish in Andy Bailey’s “HNI” rankings, a catch-all of advanced analytic statistics!

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the full 2025-26 Chicago Bulls schedule release, and make win or loss picks game by game for all 82! Peck and Willl Gottlieb make their way from the season opener at home against the Detroit Pistons, to the regular season finale against Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks in Dallas. Will the Bulls crush the over on their projected win total, which most Vegas books have in the low thirties? Plus, a clip of our interview with Carlos Boozer that prompts a fascinating question: how many titles do the Bulls win if Derrick Rose never got...

The CHGO Bulls crew - with Will Perdue back in studio - discuss which Chicago Bulls player on the current roster has the best shot at being the team’s next All Star player. If Arturas Karnisovas commits to building this roster around Josh Giddey, Coby White and Matas Buzelis, will any of them reach All Star status? If so, when? And what is the ceiling of the team if a) one of them becomes a fringe All Star or b) NONE of them reach even that height. Peck, Will Gottlieb and Will Perdue analyze the possibilities. Plus, a te...

The CHGO Bulls crew are joined by Drew Stevens of #TheBIGS to rank every calculated move Arturas Karnisovas has made during the Chicago Bulls 2025 offseason. What was his best move, and what decision looks the worst at present? Peck, Will Gottlieb and Drew analyze all of AK’s moves: re-signing Tre Jones, drafting Noa Essengue, trading Lonzo Ball for Isaac Okoro and signing Billy Donovan to an extension. Plus, they discuss the Bulls schedule drop for the Emirates NBA Cup.

The CHGO Bulls crew welcome OG basketball podcaster and Diehard Chicago Bulls fan Trey Kerby to the show! Kerby has been talking NBA and Bulls basketball for quite awhile, between The Basketball Jones, The Starters on NBATV, and now the No Dunks Podcast for The Athletic. Peck and Will Gottlieb get Trey’s thoughts on all things Bulls: the ceiling for Matas Buzelis, the Josh Giddey contract situation, AK’s vision on team-building and more! Plus, the guys talk about the importance of Isaac Okoro next season, and whether the Bulls’ defensive improvements after last season’s All Star Break we...

The CHGO Bulls crew welcome The People’s Insider Jake Fischer back to the show! Fischer had some interesting reporting over the past few days about the ongoing negotiations between the Chicago Bulls and restricted free agent Josh Giddey. Are the Golden State Warriors - or any other teams - actively pursuing Giddey? Or are these just fires being started by Giddey’s reps to try to squeeze more money from the Bulls? Peck and Will Gottlieb also react to some reporting from Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, who doesn’t see any realistic path to Giddey leaving Chicago. Plus, the NB...

📬 Chicago sports in your inbox: https://allchgo.com/newsletter The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the latest report from Jake Fischer that several teams, including the Golden State Warriors, are still interested in acquiring Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Josh Giddey. Speaking on a B/R livestream, Fischer said that the Warriors - still dealing with Jonathan Kuminga - are one of a few teams intrigued by a sign-and-trade for Giddey. What would such a deal look like? And which Eastern Conference teams could be the logical Giddey suitors that Fischer mentioned? Peck and Will Gottlieb review the possibilities, and do som...

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the first round pick still owed to the Chicago Bulls from the Portland Trail Blazers. In his recent rankings column, Sam Quinn of CBS Sports ranked all 63 future first round draft picks that have been traded across the league. The Blazers’ pick owed to Chicago came in at #36. The big wrinkle: Portland has swap rights with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2028. Can Arturas Karnisovas leverage Portland’s desire to keep that pick swap into getting something more valuable from the Blazers? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb also react to new fan satisfaction rankings from The...

On this episode, the CHGO Bulls crew get into Brett Seigel’s report from Clutch Points where he states the Chicago Bulls and Josh Giddey are “are expected to reach a resolution on a new contract" near the end of August. Are the years and money reported a fair deal for both sides? Will it come with a player or team option? Also, Indiana Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle was on Caitlin Cooper's Podcast and stated that the NBA brand of basketball is not top heavy super teams anymore; it's more try hard team-focused with multiple good players on the rost...

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss whether Nic Claxton would be a good trade target for the Chicago Bulls. Would Claxton be the right change after Nikola Vucevic's time in Chicago? Plus, who could the Bulls send to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for the center? Matt Peck, Big Dave, and Will Gottlieb discuss trade packages surrounding Patrick Williams, draft picks, and Ayo Dosunmu.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss new NBA point guard rankings from HoopsHype, which have Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Josh Giddey listed at #15. Is this a fair ranking? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb analyze the players above and below Giddey in the rankings. Plus, the guys react to a new piece from ESPN about what all 30 NBA teams are “All-In” on for the 2025-26 season. Spoiler alert: the Bulls category isn’t a good one. And big news…the Bulls are bringing the pinstripes back! Hold onto your wallets.

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the latest Josh Giddey contract negotiation context from ESPN’s Bobby Marks, and evaluate the potential ripple effects of Luka Doncic’s new contract. Marks said on the NBA on ESPN’s YouTube channel that the contract the Toronto Raptors gave Immanuel Quickley “screwed up” this year’s restricted free agents. Is this the latest piece of evidence to suggest the Bulls front office will NOT offer Giddey a multiyear deal with an AAV at or near $30 million? Peck, Big Dave and Will Gottlieb also talk about what Luka signing his extension with the Lakers means...

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss the possibility of Nikola Vucevic leaving the NBA completely if he reaches a rumored buyout with the Chicago Bulls. After Euroleague teams missed out on Jonas Valančiūnas, could they be more aggressive in pursuing Vucevic? Would European basketball provide Vucevic the opportunity to win that he's been searching for?

The CHGO Bulls crew discuss Jeremy Woo’s Top 10 sophomores to watch rankings for ESPN, where Matas Buzelis came in at #4. What are the most important factors that could make or break a big second NBA season for Matas? Peck and Big Dave evaluate the potential for a Buzelis breakout, and also review other names that made the list. Plus, Queen of the Controls Katy Duffy interviews the Zodiac GM to get insights on the Chicago Bulls synergy and astrological potential!

The CHGO Bulls crew welcome Lead Chicago Bulls writer for Bleacher Nation, Elias Schuster back to the show! Peck, Big Dave and Eli talk about the latest Ayo Dosunmu trade market update from KC Johnson of CHSN, who said he expects Ayo to be in a Bulls jersey when the new season begins. Entering the final year of his contract, could Dosunmu be an in-season trade deadline candidate, like Nikola Vucevic? Or do the Bulls plan to keep him long-term? Plus, the guys have some trade machine fun and break down a few of Schuster’s recent Bulls trade id...

The CHGO Bulls crew welcome Fighting Illini legend, NBA veteran and Chicago Bulls TV analyst Kendall Gill back to the show! Peck and Big Dave chat with their old NBC Sports Chicago pal about all things Bulls, including Kendall’s hot take from last season that Matas Buzelis is better than Cooper Flagg. Is he still standing on that take as we enter Year 2 for Buzelis and Flagg’s rookie campaign with the Mavericks? Plus, his thoughts on the Bulls acquisition of Isaac Okoro and re-signing Tre Jones. And is Kendall a believer in the Coby White and Josh Gidd...

As the 2025-26 Blackhawks season approaches, it's becoming hard to see a roster spot for Lukas Reichel. Does he have a spot with the team? Will he be a Blackhawk on opening night? If he makes the team, what should his role be? All that and much more today on CHGO Blackhawks.