Coming into the 2025-26 season, there was only one certainty: that the franchise’s future would be built around Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Just before the calendar flipped to 2026, they faced one of the worst-case scenarios: Giddey went down. He’d be sidelined for multiple weeks, which immediately turned the focus to a likely tank before the trade deadline and full-blown sell before the cutoff. Instead, the Bulls went 5-5, remained competitive, saw several young players emerge, and stayed in playoff contention. Not only does this heavily question the notion that the team will be selling at the deadline, but it also brings the possibility that they will hunt win-now talent in exchange for future capital. In a season full of injuries, which ranks among the league’s highest numbers of sidelined assets, some good news has finally arrived.
Josh Giddey Will Return Tonight
Chicago’s most dangerous and versatile offensive weapon, Josh Giddey, will make his return tonight. He’s posting nearly a triple-double per outing, posting a 19/9/9 line through the first half of the year. Despite being sidelined for the last month, he still has the best chance at representing the franchise in the upcoming 2026 NBA All-Star game. Interestingly, the team has a better offensive rating and a more efficient scoring output without his services, but he’s undoubtedly the cog that makes the machine run. Without him, the Bulls can boast a better defensive lineup and a more pass-heavy offensive attack.
Josh Giddey ranked 19th in All-Star voting for the Eastern Conference. His averages this season?
19 ppg
9 rpg
9 apg
47/39/76 shooting splitsMind you he’s 23 years old doing this. What am I missing? Definition of a SNUB. 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/Wp6FcDioMq
— SleeperBulls (@SleeperChicago) January 19, 2026
Regardless of the splits with and without him on the floor, he’ll be welcomed with open arms back to an inconsistent and sporadic offensive product. At only 2.5 games outside of playoff seeding, a stellar few weeks could dictate how the trade deadline unfolds.
Trade Deadline Implications
The Chicago Bulls find themselves in another tricky position with two weeks remaining before the trade cutoff. Bulls fans know all too well that when the team is remotely close to playoff contention, Arturas Karnisovas can use the argument that the core needs to remain the same and that winning is on the horizon. As has been the case over the last three years, one solid stretch of basketball leading into the February deadline could see the current roster through to the end of the regular season. This year, specifically, with over five expiring contracts and a loaded top end of the upcoming NBA draft class, it’s essential that Karnisovas pulls the trigger on selling assets for future stock before multiple assets walk with no return to the franchise.
"It makes you wonder how Arturas [Karnisovas] is going to view the trade deadline."
🗣️ @Will_Gottlieb on how the Bulls performance over the next 2 weeks might impact AK's plan pic.twitter.com/dVeW6Ui3Ax
— CHGO Bulls (@CHGO_Bulls) January 22, 2026
Could Josh Giddey’s return this soon turn into another trade deadline nightmare for Chicago? Remaining silent or making minimal moves would constitute front-office malpractice. Is AK navigating this period as possibly his last with the organization?
