CHICAGO – As the Chicago Bulls navigate an unexpectedly strong start to the 2025-26 NBA season, one storyline is stealing the spotlight: the blossoming love affair between sharpshooting guard Kevin Huerter and the Windy City. With star guard Coby White still sidelined and yet to make his season debut, Huerter has emerged as a cornerstone of the Bulls’ surprising 6-3 record. But in a league where loyalty often takes a backseat to cap sheets and trade deadlines, the 27-year-old wing’s heartfelt declarations of affection for Chicago raise a tantalizing question: Is Huerter truly part of the Bulls’ long-term vision, or is this just another fleeting romance destined for free agency drama?
The Bulls’ early success hasn’t come without hiccups. Last night, Chicago dropped a heartbreaker to the Cleveland Cavaliers, 128-122, marking their second straight loss. Despite a valiant effort, the Bulls’ defense crumbled in the fourth quarter once again, allowing the Cavs to outscore them 73-54 across the final frames of their last two games. Cleveland’s Isaac Okoro torched the Bulls for 19 points, leading seven Cavaliers in double figures, while Chicago surrendered at least 125 points for the fourth time in their past five outings. It’s a defensive red flag that head coach Billy Donovan will need to address if the Bulls hope to sustain their hot start.
Yet, amid the frustration, there’s a silver lining that’s become the talk of the league: the Bulls’ bench. Chicago’s reserves dismantled Cleveland’s second unit, outscoring them 48-18 en route to a staggering +44 plus-minus. According to Hoopsstats.com, the Bulls boast the NBA’s sixth-best bench, pumping in 43.0 points, grabbing 14.6 rebounds, and dishing 8.6 assists per game. They add defensive spice with 2.8 steals and 2.2 blocks, while shooting an efficient 47.7% from the field and 35.4% from beyond the arc. This depth has been the secret sauce keeping Chicago afloat without White’s scoring punch.
Leading the charge for the second unit is none other than Ayo Dosunmu, who’s averaging 14.6 points on a scorching 55.1% field goal shooting and 46.1% from three (1.7 makes per game). But it’s Huerter who’s quietly stealing the show as the bench’s emotional and statistical anchor. The 6-7 sharpshooter logs a team-high 25.1 minutes off the pine, boasting a +3.6 plus-minus rating that underscores his impact. In eight of nine games, Huerter has reached double figures in scoring, eclipsing 15 points four times. His season line? A tidy 13.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest. While his three-point stroke has dipped to 31.7% (1.4 makes), he’s firing on all cylinders inside the arc at a career-best 48.9% from the field.
Huerter’s resurgence in Chicago feels like a career reboot. After a turbulent 1.5 seasons in Sacramento—where injuries and inconsistency plagued his game—the former Sacramento Kings standout was flipped to the Bulls at last February’s trade deadline in a blockbuster three-team deal. That swap sent disgruntled star Zach LaVine to the Kings and All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, reshaping the Bulls’ backcourt overnight. For Huerter, it was a fresh start in a city that’s quickly won him over.
“I just want to be a part of winning basketball at this point of my career,” Huerter told reporters Friday after practice, his voice carrying the conviction of a man who’s found his groove. “Whether fans have liked it or not, Billy [Donovan] has preached since I got here. He wants to win. I want to be in an organization that wants to do that, and we as players all have a piece in that. I love the way we play here. It’s a fun brand.”
The sentiment is mutual—Chicago’s faithful have embraced Huerter’s silky stroke and unselfish play, chanting his name during recent home stands at the United Center. In an exclusive sit-down with Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Huerter didn’t mince words: “I feel at home in Chicago and hope to remain in the Windy City for years to come.” It’s the kind of bombshell quote that could rally a fanbase still healing from the LaVine saga. But here’s the cold reality of the NBA: Love doesn’t always conquer cap space.
Huerter’s contract—a player option for $18 million this season—expires at season’s end, thrusting him into unrestricted free agency. His current form, blending efficiency with versatility, figures to attract a bidding war from contenders hungry for wing depth. If the Bulls stumble and pivot to seller mode at the deadline, Huerter’s expiring deal could net a haul of picks or young talent. Donovan’s “win-now” ethos might keep him in the fold short-term, but the bigger picture looms large.
Chicago’s summer to-do list is a minefield of decisions. Huerter joins a crowded free-agent class that includes Nikola Vucevic, Jevon Carter, Zach Collins, Coby White, and Ayo Dosunmu—all unrestricted agents. Dalen Terry, meanwhile, heads to restricted free agency, though whispers suggest the Bulls may not extend a qualifying offer, effectively letting him walk. White and Dosunmu loom as top priorities; the former’s star potential and the latter’s breakout could command max extensions. Vucevic (a steady double-double machine), Carter (a gritty defender), and Collins (a stretch big with upside) round out the trade bait, their expiring pacts as valuable as playoff tickets.
Speaking of Collins, the 28-year-old center remains sidelined with a left wrist fracture suffered in preseason. Per The Athletic’s Joe Varden, Collins is slated for a pivotal CT scan this week. “Billy Donovan says Zach Collins has a CT scan this week, which should be ‘pretty telling,'” Varden tweeted Sunday. “Says they’ve been aggressive with his recovery. He’s been working out and form shooting, given his off-hand is the one casted. Still not passing/catching with casted hand.” A clean bill could bolster the frontcourt rotation; anything less might force Chicago to explore the buyout market.
Financially, the Bulls are positioned for flexibility. With just eight players under contract beyond this season and a projected $86 million salary cap, they eye roughly $85 million in cap space. Retaining their free agents is feasible—they hold all the rights—but priorities will dictate the blueprint. A deep playoff run could trigger re-signings across the board; a lottery finish might mean a full reset.
Draft capital adds another layer. Chicago’s own first-rounder (top-8 protected) heads to San Antonio courtesy of the LaVine-Fox megadeal, potentially leaving them pickless in 2026 if they finish strong. On the flip side, they could inherit Portland’s top-14 protected first from the 2021 three-team trade that shipped Lauri Markkanen to Cleveland—a lottery ticket that could accelerate a rebuild.
So, where does Huerter fit in this puzzle? His “I love Chicago” serenade is music to Bulls fans’ ears, but the front office—led by Artūras Karnišovas—must weigh sentiment against strategy. At 27, Huerter’s prime aligns perfectly with a contention window anchored by young guns like Dosunmu and a healthy White. Yet, in a cap-strapped league, his market value could price him out if Chicago chases a splashy star via trade.
For now, Huerter’s content to hoop in the shadow of the Bean, knocking down triples and locking in on Donovan’s vision. “It’s fun basketball,” he reiterated. “That’s all I need.” Whether that fun extends beyond 2026? That’s the real bombshell Chicago—and the NBA—will be watching closely.