Bulls Bolster Backcourt with Conley Ivey as Timberwolves Chase Giannis

Merlin sees a three-team trade that sends Mike Conley Jr. and Jaden Ivey to the Bulls, Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to the Pistons, plus a 2026 first-round protected swap to Detroit. The move "creates significant tax savings and roster space" for Minnesota as it eyes a Milwaukee star, namely Giannis Antetokounmpo. Chicago gains guard depth behind injured backcourt pieces, and Detroit adds spacing around Cade Cunningham with Huerter’s 37.1 percent three-point stroke. Merlin notes the numbers matter as much as names. Minnesota’s luxury tax fell from $24 million to $3.8 million and the Wolves sit under the first apron, positioning them to recruit partners. As Brian Windhorst said, "They're out there recruiting third and fourth teams." Saric’s salary can be flipped since "his salary is going into an exception and not aggregated."