In a stunning turn of events amid the final push of the 2025-2026 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls have delivered a major update on their trade deadline acquisition, Anfernee Simons. The $100 million guard, who was brought in to bolster the team’s backcourt, has been sidelined by a nagging wrist injury—but the latest diagnosis offers a glimmer of hope for Bulls fans as they face off against the Charlotte Hornets.
The Injury Bombshell: Fractured Wrist Confirmed
Ahead of the Bulls’ matchup with the Hornets, head coach Billy Donovan dropped the news that has sent shockwaves through the Chicago locker room and beyond. According to reports from Will Gottlieb of CHGO, Simons has been diagnosed with a fractured wrist. This comes after what was initially described as a mere contusion, but extended testing revealed the more serious setback.
Donovan elaborated that the injury is actually a re-aggravation of a pre-existing issue Simons suffered during training camp with the Boston Celtics. “He apparently re-aggravated an injury he suffered during training camp in Boston,” Gottlieb shared via X (formerly Twitter). The good news? Surgery is not on the table at this point. Instead, Simons’ return timeline hinges on his pain tolerance, with Donovan estimating a recovery similar to his earlier 10-day absence.
This update was reflected in the Bulls’ official injury report for the Hornets game, marking a critical moment for a team fighting to secure their position in the Eastern Conference standings. Simons, listed as out, leaves a void in the lineup, but the non-surgical approach suggests he could be back sooner rather than later.
Simons’ Journey to Chicago: A Trade Deadline Steal?
Anfernee Simons, the 26-year-old sharpshooter, joined the Bulls in a blockbuster trade with the Boston Celtics at the deadline. In exchange for Simons, Boston acquired veteran center Nikola Vucevic to address their front-court needs. The move was anticipated, as Simons had been on the trade block after Boston picked him up from the Portland Trail Blazers in the deal that sent Jrue Holiday to Portland.
Simons’ $100 million, four-year contract—signed back in 2022—is set to expire this summer, making his performance down the stretch crucial as he eyes free agency. Despite the injury, his brief stint with the Bulls has shown promise. In just six games with Chicago, Simons averaged 15.2 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.8 rebounds, shooting 43% from the field and 32% from beyond the arc.
Before the trade, Simons was a key contributor for the Celtics, appearing in 49 games and posting identical averages of 15.2 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.8 rebounds. His efficiency was even higher in Boston, with 44% field goal shooting and 39% from three-point range. Even on a contending team missing star Jayson Tatum due to injury, Simons proved his value as a reliable role player.
Embed X: https://twitter.com/Will_Gottlieb/status/2026437106504011997
For the Bulls, this injury update couldn’t come at a more pivotal time. With the season winding down, getting an extended look at Simons in a starting role could solidify his place in the team’s future plans—or boost his trade value if Chicago decides to flip him again. At 26, Simons is at a prime age to elevate his game, transitioning from a high-volume scorer in Portland (where he once averaged 17.3 points and 3.9 assists on a rebuilding squad) to a versatile piece on a playoff contender.
His market this summer is expected to be robust, thanks to his adaptability. Simons has thrived in multiple roles: as a primary option with the Blazers and a complementary guard in Boston. Teammates in Boston showered him with praise upon his departure, highlighting his work ethic and impact—endorsements that carry weight in league circles.
While the fractured wrist is a bombshell, it’s not a season-ender. If pain subsides as anticipated, Simons could return to action soon, giving the Bulls a boost against teams like the Hornets and beyond. Chicago fans will be watching closely, hoping this $100 million investment pays off in the playoffs.
As the Bulls tip off against Charlotte, the focus shifts from injury woes to resilience. Will Simons make a speedy comeback? Only time—and his pain threshold—will tell. Stay tuned for more updates as the NBA season heats up.