The Chicago Bulls opened the season convinced they had finally found something real. A 5–0 start had the league paying attention. Josh Giddey looked like he had unlocked a new version of himself and rookie Matas Buzelis kept giving flashes of a long-term star blueprint.
But once the early shine faded, the same preseason concerns returned. Defensive lapses have resurfaced, the wing rotation has shown its limitations and Chicago needs another player who can guard elite scorers while spacing the floor without disrupting the young core.
There is one name that checks every box.
Trey Murphy III.
As the New Orleans Pelicans continue to sink toward the bottom of the standings, rival teams are watching closely. If New Orleans reaches a point where they consider a reset, Chicago should position itself at the front of the line. Fansided’s Andrew Hanlon recently floated the idea, and the logic is compelling from every angle.
Trey Murphy Emerging as the Cleanest Fit
Nothing about the Pelicans feels settled right now. Zion Williamson has battled injuries again. Jordan Poole has struggled with efficiency. The defense has collapsed. The losses are piling up in ways that force uncomfortable conversations in the front office.
Murphy has been the lone stabilizer. He leads New Orleans in key categories. He is scoring efficiently, defending at a high level and playing like someone ready for a much bigger role. On a roster that has lacked continuity, Murphy has stood out as the one player consistently elevating the group.
At six foot nine with a seven foot one wingspan, he fits exactly what Chicago is missing. Isaac Okoro is a strong point-of-attack defender but cannot carry the entire perimeter workload. Nikola Vucevic remains a valuable piece for the Bulls system, but he cannot cover every rim protection gap.
Murphy offers a complete two-way profile. The versatility to guard one through four is rare at his size, and the career 38 percent shooting from three only strengthens the fit. He blends into Chicago’s young core without requiring any major stylistic overhaul.
This is the type of player who elevates a team the moment he walks into the building.
Why Murphy Fits the Bulls Timeline
GettyTrey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts to making a basket in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors.
Murphy is twenty five and entering his prime. His contract is stable and predictable, starting at twenty five million this season and rising gradually. For a team building around Giddey and Buzelis while still trying to remain competitive, cost control matters.
Chicago also has the draft capital to make a real offer. They control all their first-round picks plus an additional pick from Portland. If the Pelicans continue trending downward, Murphy becomes the most valuable player they could move for future flexibility.
Chicago should not be passive. Windows like this do not stay open for long.
Murphy boosts the defense immediately and gives the group a more versatile backbone. Offensively, his shooting creates space for Giddey and opens the floor in a way Chicago has been missing. He also provides Buzelis with a long-term running mate in the frontcourt and fits seamlessly into lineups with Coby White, raising the team’s ceiling on both ends.
Looking Ahead: Bulls Must Stay Ready
The Bulls have shown real progress early in the season. Chicago’s identity is starting to form, the young core looks increasingly competitive and the overall style is becoming clearer with each game.
What they need now is the final two-way piece that ties everything together.
Trey Murphy III fits the roster, the timeline and the vision. He is the cleanest upgrade on the market. And as the Pelicans continue to struggle, the odds of him becoming available are rising by the week.
If New Orleans opens the door, Chicago has to be ready to walk through it.
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