New year, same old Chicago Bulls. Sitting right around a .500 record once again, the Bulls are barreling toward another play-in appearance. If that happens, it would mark the fourth consecutive season in essentially the same spot. There has been no real growth, no clear development, just average basketball that feels stuck in neutral.

With the trade deadline less than three weeks away, the Bulls must take action to alter the trajectory of the franchise. It does not have to be a move that saves this season, but it needs to provide direction. There has to be a plan.

Here's my plan: I am going to rank three potential trade targets, from #3 to #1, based on who I would most want the Bulls to acquire.

#3 - Jonathan Kuminga

Kuminga is a very intriguing player. Drafted seventh overall in the 2021 NBA Draft, he is a six-foot-seven wing who has never truly found his footing in Golden State. While he played a role off the bench during the Warriors’ 2022 championship run, he has struggled to carve out consistent minutes and a defined role.

Kuminga has always believed he is one of the better players in the league and has wanted a role that reflects that confidence. That mindset has reportedly led to tension with head coach Steve Kerr. Most recently, he has been buried on the bench, not playing in 13 straight games. The moment he became eligible for a trade, he demanded one.

When Kuminga is on, the flashes are real. Just last postseason, he averaged 24.3 points per game while shooting 55% from the field in the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. That type of production shows the upside he still carries.

However, the concern comes with fit and development. The Warriors currently have very little leverage, so the trade cost might be reasonable, but taking on Kuminga would still be a risk. If you are not fully prepared to build around his strengths and give him a defined role, you could be repeating the same mistakes that stalled his growth in Golden State. That uncertainty is why I would lean more heavily toward the next two options.

#2 - Michael Porter Jr.

There are conflicting reports about whether Michael Porter Jr. will actually be moved at the deadline, but one thing is clear: he is having a breakout season. Now operating as the primary offensive threat, he is averaging just over 25 points and 7.5 rebounds per game while shooting 42% from three-point range.

Porter was a blue-chip prospect out of high school, a top recruit in the country, before choosing to attend Missouri. Back injuries derailed his college career, limiting him to just one game, but his talent was undeniable. He was selected 7th overall in the 2017 Draft and eventually became the third option behind Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić in Denver, winning a championship along the way.

What stands out most is his size and scoring ability. At six-foot-10, Porter can shoot over defenders effortlessly. There is not a shot he does not like, and honestly, not many shots he cannot make. His confidence as a scorer is exactly what this Bulls team has lacked for years.

Health has always been the concern, but he has now played over 75 games in each of the last two seasons, which is a strong sign that those back issues may finally be behind him. Even his passing has improved, as he is averaging a career-high 3.3 assists per game despite having the nickname “Never Swing the Rock” earlier in his career.

Porter would be a major upgrade for Chicago offensively and would instantly become their most dangerous scoring threat. Still, as good as he is, there is one player who represents the true swing-for-the-fences move.

#1 - Zion Williamson

If you need more context on this, I would point you to the article I wrote last week. Zion Williamson is the ultimate direction-setter for this franchise. He will not guarantee a championship in 2026, but he would immediately give the Bulls an identity and a sense of purpose. When healthy, Zion is one of the most efficient and dominant players in the NBA. He owns career averages of 24 points, six rebounds, and shoots nearly 58% from the field. On top of that, he is an underrated facilitator, averaging 4.5 assists per game.

Pairing his explosiveness with Josh Giddey’s playmaking and Matas Buzelis’ development could create a foundation that actually feels exciting and intentional. That alone is something this franchise has lacked for far too long. What makes this gamble even more appealing is the structure of Zion’s contract. Much of it is non-guaranteed and tied to weight checks and games played. The Bulls have always valued financial flexibility, and Zion’s deal aligns perfectly with that philosophy.

If he plays, the Bulls could push past the play-in tier and finally operate as a real playoff team with upside. If he does not play, they become one of the league’s worst teams, positioning themselves for a top draft pick. Either outcome is more useful than staying stuck in NBA purgatory.

That is why Zion Williamson is my clear #1 target. High risk, yes. But also the only move that truly changes the direction of this franchise.