The Chicago Bulls have quietly built one of the more intriguing young rosters in the Eastern Conference, but one major question still lingers — who anchors the paint long-term?
According to Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz, the answer could be Walker Kessler of the Utah Jazz. Swartz urged the Bulls to explore a trade for the 7-footer, calling him the type of player who could solidify Chicago’s defense for years to come.
The Report: Kessler a Logical Target for Bulls
In his “One Trade Target for Every NBA Team” column, Greg Swartz pointed out that the Bulls have begun stacking young talent throughout the roster but still lack a clear successor to veteran center Nikola Vučević.
Swartz also noted that Kessler and the Jazz were unable to agree on an extension this offseason, setting him up for restricted free agency next summer — or a potential trade if the Jazz decide to explore their options sooner.
If Utah continues to retool around its younger guards, a deal could make sense for both sides — giving Chicago the rim protector it’s been missing and the Jazz valuable future assets in return.
Why Kessler Checks Every Box
Kessler already looks like a long-term defensive anchor. At 7’0″ with a 7’6″ wingspan, he’s averaged 2.4 blocks per game through his first three seasons while controlling the glass on both ends.
Last year, he put up 11.1 points and 12.2 rebounds per game, proving he doesn’t need touches to impact the outcome. His game is built on timing, positioning, and defensive IQ — traits that would immediately elevate a Bulls team still finding its defensive identity.
With Josh Giddey facilitating, Coby White spacing the floor, and Matas Buzelis adding size on the wing, Kessler would be the ideal interior presence to tie everything together.
The Vučević Dilemma
Vučević has been a steady presence in Chicago since arriving in 2021, but at 35, he’s no longer a long-term piece. His scoring and rebounding remain reliable, yet his limited rim protection and mobility have left the Bulls searching for alternatives.
Kessler represents that next step — younger, more athletic, and able to thrive in a system that prioritizes defense and pace. With him protecting the rim, Billy Donovan could unlock lineups that play faster, switch more freely, and lean into the team’s evolving youth movement.
What a Deal Could Look Like
Kessler is on one of the league’s most team-friendly contracts at just $4.88 million this season. That affordability makes him an attractive target for teams like Chicago that want immediate value without sacrificing flexibility.
The Jazz would likely ask for a young player and future draft capital, but the Bulls have options. A package involving a promising wing or protected pick could get Utah’s attention if extension talks remain quiet.
For Chicago, the move would be less about short-term splash and more about long-term structure — the chance to solidify the position for the next decade.
The Bigger Picture for the Bulls
The Bulls have their backcourt of the future in Giddey and White, and a high-upside forward in Buzelis. What they lack is a defensive identity — and Kessler could provide exactly that.
He’s young, affordable, and built for the modern game. Whether it happens through trade or down the road in free agency, Kessler feels like the type of player who completes Chicago’s puzzle.
If the Bulls want to turn potential into progress, finding their center of the future might be the piece that changes everything.
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