Bulls Chase Bennedict Mathurin and Missi

Merlin sees Chicago circling the Feb. 5 trade deadline, hunting young, athletic pieces to pair with Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Flush with expiring contracts, draft assets and the ability to open nearly $70 million in July, the Bulls have leverage. A proposed four-team swap would send Bennedict Mathurin and center Missi to Chicago while moving Gafford to Indiana and routing picks and role players to New Orleans and Dallas, using trade exceptions to make salaries fit. This plan fills two clear needs without surrendering heavy future assets. Mathurin brings scoring punch, Missi offers a low-cost young center, and Indiana gains veteran size while New Orleans and Dallas manage tax and roster headaches. Merlin notes the danger of overpaying a restricted free agent or losing cap flexibility if Chicago misreads the market.