The Chicago Bulls are at a crossroads. After years of struggling to carve out a clear identity in the Eastern Conference, the franchise is undergoing a seismic shift. The promising 2021 season, sparked by a dynamic roster featuring Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Lonzo Ball, and Alex Caruso, was derailed by injuries and inconsistency. Fast forward to 2025, and the Bulls’ core has been dismantled. LaVine and DeRozan are now in Sacramento, Ball is in Cleveland, and Caruso has landed in Oklahoma City. What remains is a young, unproven roster tasked with rebuilding a franchise that hasn’t been a true contender in over a decade.
As the Bulls pivot toward a new era led by sophomore standouts Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey (pending a contract extension), the front office faces a daunting challenge: finding a superstar to anchor the team while constructing a balanced roster to support them. One glaring need stands out above the rest—a reliable three-point shooter to complement head coach Billy Donovan’s three-point-heavy offensive system. Enter Donte DiVincenzo, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ sharpshooting guard, who has emerged as a prime trade target for Chicago. But why is this pursuit so critical, and what does it reveal about the Bulls’ ruthless approach to reshaping their future?
The Bulls’ Three-Point Woes
Last season, the Bulls ranked third in the NBA in three-point attempts per game, a testament to Donovan’s emphasis on perimeter shooting. However, their efficiency lagged, with a 36.7% three-point shooting percentage placing them 13th in the league. While respectable, this figure underscores a critical gap in Chicago’s roster: the absence of a high-volume, high-efficiency shooter who can stretch defenses and create space for Buzelis and Giddey to operate.
The Bulls’ current roster lacks a true sniper. Ayo Dosunmu, a hometown favorite drafted in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft, has developed into a solid rotational guard. However, his ceiling appears limited. Dosunmu is a well-rounded player, averaging 8.6 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game in his career, but he lacks the standout skill that Chicago desperately needs. His three-point shooting, while serviceable at 35.1% last season, doesn’t provide the elite marksmanship required to elevate the Bulls’ offense.
Donte DiVincenzo: The Missing Piece?
To address this deficiency, Sports Illustrated’s Thomas Carelli recently proposed a trade that would send Dosunmu and a second-round pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Donte DiVincenzo. The 28-year-old guard has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier shooters, connecting on at least 39.7% of his three-point attempts in each of the last three seasons on high volume. Last year alone, DiVincenzo averaged 15.5 points per game while shooting 40.1% from beyond the arc for the New York Knicks, proving his ability to thrive in a supporting role.
“DiVincenzo adds a nice angle with his three-point ability,” Carelli wrote. “The Bulls are not awful on offense, but they can use a boost. Their rate outside the top-15 in offensive rating and 13th in effective field goal percentage.”
DiVincenzo’s career stats further highlight his fit with Chicago’s needs:
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Games Played: 416
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Minutes Per Game: 25.5
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Points Per Game: 10.7
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Rebounds Per Game: 4.3
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Assists Per Game: 2.9
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Field Goal %: 42.7%
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Three-Point %: 38.0%
Beyond his shooting, DiVincenzo brings defensive tenacity and playoff experience, having contributed to the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2021 championship run. His ability to space the floor would open driving lanes for Giddey, a gifted playmaker, and create opportunities for Buzelis to develop as a versatile scorer. While not a superstar, DiVincenzo represents the kind of high-impact role player the Bulls need to complement their young core.
Why This Trade Makes Sense
Trading Dosunmu, a fan favorite, may sting for Chicago fans, but the move aligns with the Bulls’ long-term vision. Dosunmu’s skill set, while valuable, overlaps with Giddey’s playmaking and ball-handling abilities. DiVincenzo, on the other hand, fills a specific void. His elite shooting would elevate Chicago’s offense, which ranked outside the top 15 in offensive rating last season. Additionally, his defensive versatility allows him to guard multiple positions, providing balance to a roster that must compete in a loaded Eastern Conference.
The proposed trade is also cost-effective. A second-round pick is a modest price to pay for a player of DiVincenzo’s caliber, especially considering his proven track record. For Minnesota, Dosunmu offers a young, controllable asset who can contribute immediately as a rotational guard, while the second-rounder adds future flexibility.
The Bigger Picture
The pursuit of DiVincenzo reveals a hard truth about the Bulls’ current state: they are in the early stages of a rebuild, and every move must be calculated to maximize the potential of their young core. While Buzelis and Giddey show promise, they are not yet ready to carry the franchise to contender status. The Bulls’ front office, led by Artūras Karnišovas, understands that surrounding their young stars with the right pieces is just as important as finding the next superstar.
DiVincenzo isn’t the move that will vault Chicago to the top of the East, but he’s a step in the right direction. His shooting and versatility address immediate needs while providing a bridge to the future. The Bulls’ hunt for a 39.7% three-point shooter like DiVincenzo signals their commitment to building a modern, efficient offense capable of competing in today’s NBA.
Conclusion
The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of a transformation, and their pursuit of Donte DiVincenzo underscores the urgency of their mission. Trading Ayo Dosunmu and a second-round pick for a proven sharpshooter would be a sharp, forward-thinking move by the front office. While the road back to contention remains long, adding a player like DiVincenzo could ignite the spark that Chicago needs to begin climbing the Eastern Conference ranks. For a franchise searching for its identity, this trade could be the first shockwave in a new era of Bulls basketball.