RealGM Basketball Wiretap

22 January 2026

• Bulls, Pelicans Have Discussed Deals Involving Zion Williamson, Yves Missi

  The Chicago Bulls have had trade discussions with the New Orleans Pelicans over Zion Williamson and Yves Missi, confirmed Joe Cowley of Chicago Sun-Times.

  The Pelicans informed teams that they would not trade Williamson, though Cowley adds that talks over Missi have momentum.

  It was reported last week that the Bulls and vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas are much more realistic in trade discussions ahead of this upcoming deadline.

  The Bulls have several unrestricted free agents this summer, including Ayo Dosunmu, Zach Collins, Kevin Hurter, Coby White, and Nikola Vucevic.

  The Timberwolves have also inquired about White, Dosunmu, and Tre Jones.

• Josh Giddey Could Return Thursday Versus Clippers

  Josh Giddey could return to the Chicago Bulls' lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers, according to head coach Billy Donovan.

  Giddey has missed the last 11 games with a strained hamstring.

  "Feels pretty good," Donovan said. "I think it's just waiting to hear from the medical of what they want to do and how Josh feels. But everything that I've gotten from Josh in medical is that there were no setbacks and he's doing well."

  Giddey is averaging 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 9 assists on the year.

  The Bulls are 21-22 on the season.

• Bulls 'More Realistic' In Trade Demands Ahead Of Deadline

  The Chicago Bulls and vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas are more transparent and "realistic" in their trade demands ahead of this upcoming deadline, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

  The Bulls are currently 19-21 on the season.

  Several players on the roster have reportedly been in trade discussions, with the Timberwolves among the teams interested in Coby White. The Bulls have signaled they are more open to trading White than in past years.

  The Bulls are expected to have interest in the Warriors' Jonathan Kuminga, with the two sides having discussed a deal over Nikola Vucevic over last summer.

  Chicago has several other unrestricted free agents this summer, including Ayo Dosunmu, Zach Collins, Kevin Hurter, White, and Vucevic.

• Josh Giddey Ramping Up Towards Return; Zach Collins Out Through All-Star Break

  Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey has begun the ramp-up process towards a return to play. Giddey has been out since suffering a left hamstring strain on December 29.

  On the season, Giddey has averaged career-highs nearly across the board. The 6-foot-7 guard is averaging 19.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 9.0 assists, which are all career-bests. Giddey is also hitting for 47/39/76 shooting splits.

  The news wasn't as good for Bulls big man Zach Collins. He's been down since December 27 due to a big toe sprain. Chicago head coach Billy Donovan expects Collins to be in a walking boot for the next few weeks and to be out through the All-Star break in mid-February.

• Heat-Bulls Game Rescheduled For January 29; Will Play Each Other In Three Straight Games

  The Chicago Bulls' matchup at home against the Miami Heat has been rescheduled for January 29.

  The matchup from last week was postponed due to condensation at the United Center.

  The Heat and Bulls will now play each other in three consecutive games. The Heat were scheduled to host the Bulls on January 30 and February 1, with those games now rescheduled for January 31 and February 1.

  The schedule adjustment also means that the Bulls and Heat will be playing four games in five nights.

• Ayo Dosunmu Prefers To Stay With Bulls Long-Term

  Chicago Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu is wrapping up the three-year, $21 million contract he signed with the Bulls in the summer of 2023. Dosunmu knows that the trade deadline is coming up, followed by unrestricted free agency, but he'd just as soon say with the Bulls long-term.

  "For sure," Dosunmu said of wanting to remain in Chicago. "They took a chance on me. I definitely know I love it here. But then you know, free agency's coming up, and the business side of it, you always understand everything that comes with it. But besides that, these are the guys who helped me become a better player, the staff that helped me become a better player. I take one game at a time. But of course, I love Chicago."

  The Bulls can extend Dosunmu through the end of the league year on June 30. He's eligible to extend for up to $87 million over four seasons. Chicago has several other unrestricted free agents this summer, including Dosunmu's backcourt partner Coby White, big men Nikola Vucevic and Zach Collins and wing Kevin Huerter.

• Heat-Bulls Matchup Postponed Due To Condensation At United Center

  Thursday night's game between the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls at the United Center was postponed due to condensation on the court.

  The Blackhawks played at the United Center on Wednesday. But due to a warm, rainy day on Thursday, the court was not in a playable condition.

  An official postponement was declared after more than 90 minutes of attempting to dry the court.

  A makeup date was not announced on Thursday. The Heat do not play at Chicago for the rest of the year.

• Bulls Sign Yuki Kawamura To Two-Way Contract, Waive Trentyn Flowers

  The Chicago Bulls signed guard Yuki Kawamura to a two-way contract and waived Trentyn Flowers in a corresponding roster move. Kawamura, who spent last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, appeared in two preseason games for Chicago this season. The 5-8 guard averaged 3.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 10.8 minutes during the preseason.

  Kawamura appeared in 22 games with Memphis during the 2024-25 season, averaging 1.6 points and 0.9 assists in limited playing time. The Yanai, Japan native brings five years of experience from the Japanese B.League. He posted career averages of 16.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists across 167 games with San-en NeoPhoenix and Yokohama B-Corsairs.

  Kawamura earned MVP and Guard of the Year honors in the B.League during the 2022-23 season. He also received two Best Five Team selections during his tenure in Japan's top professional league.

  The Japanese national team member competed in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Kawamura was the only player across all Olympic teams to average at least 20.0 points and 7.0 assists during the tournament.

  Flowers appeared in two games with Chicago this season, averaging 2.0 points in 2.8 minutes per game. He also played in three regular season games and 11 Tip-Off Tournament games for the Windy City Bulls, Chicago's G League affiliate.

  The Bulls roster now stands at 18 players, including three two-way contracts. Kawamura joins Emanuel Miller and Lachlan Olbrich as Chicago's two-way players.

• Pistons, Warriors, Bucks, Bulls Could Pursue Michael Porter Jr

  The Brooklyn Nets are receiving trade interest in forward Michael Porter Jr. as next month's trade deadline approaches. It's unclear if the Nets are set on moving Porter, but his strong play this season has improved the forward's trade value from negative to at least neutral.

  The Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks are expected to be suitors for Porter. The Bucks are looking for ways to upgrade the roster around Giannis Antetokounmpo. Golden State is expected to move Jonathan Kuminga, whose contract would go a long way towards matching salary for Porter. The Pistons are expected by many to pursue additional scoring, while the Chicago Bulls had interest in Porter when he was still on the Denver Nuggets.

  Porter has been the Nets primary scorer this season and is averaging a career-high 25.8 points per game. The 6-foot-10 forward has been efficient, with shooting splits of 49/41/81, while also grabbing a career-best 7.5 rebounds per game.

  Injuries and contract have been part of the value evaluation with Porter. He's now stayed mostly healthy over the last three seasons. Porter makes $38.3 million this season, with one additional season at $40.8 million left on his deal.

• Josh Giddey Out Several Weeks With Strained Left Hamstring

  Josh Giddey will miss several week due to a strained left hamstring. Giddey walked gingerly off the court in the second half of Monday's loss by the Chicago Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

  Giddey is averaging 19.2 points, 9.0 assists and 8.9 rebounds this season.

  The Bulls also lost Coby White in Monday's game due to a right calf strain.