The Chicago Bulls have dropped a significant update on two of their key trade-deadline acquisitions, providing fresh timelines for Jaden Ivey and Anfernee Simons as the team navigates the final stretch of the 2025-26 regular season—with just 15 games remaining.
After wrapping up a challenging five-game Western Conference road trip, the Bulls returned home and shared long-awaited news on their injured guards. Both players, acquired in separate deals around the trade deadline (Ivey from the Detroit Pistons and Simons from the Boston Celtics), have been sidelined for extended periods, limiting their impact in Chicago so far.
Jaden Ivey, the former lottery pick, has been out since his last appearance before the All-Star break, with his absence now stretching well over a month. The guard did not join the team on the recent road swing, instead focusing on rehabilitation at the Advocate Center. His issues stem from left knee soreness that surfaced after a DNP-CD on February 19—initially unrelated to the decision to sit him but later prompting deeper evaluation.
Head coach Billy Donovan expressed dissatisfaction with how Ivey was moving physically upon closer inspection. The priority has shifted to rebuilding strength in his leg following a turbulent injury history: a fibula fracture last season and minor knee surgery in the offseason. Despite returning to play 33 straight games with the Pistons before the trade, Ivey appeared less than 100 percent.
The Bulls’ initial prognosis sidelined him for at least two weeks, but the timeline has extended. Per the team’s PR update, Ivey will remain out for at least one more week and will be re-evaluated then. The positive note: he has shown meaningful progress in rehab, fueling optimism that he could return for some valuable minutes before the regular season concludes.
Getting Ivey back on the floor—even in limited capacity—aligns with the organization’s interests. Heading into restricted free agency this summer, the front office wants a clearer picture of his fit alongside Josh Giddey and young forward Matas Buzelis. That chemistry could influence decisions on his future in Chicago.
That said, questions linger about playing time. Donovan has historically been cautious with younger players when the roster is healthy. With the Bulls now firmly out of postseason contention, the dynamics might shift, potentially opening the door for more opportunities for the youngsters.
For Anfernee Simons, the outlook involves a slightly longer wait. The guard, who has battled a slight fracture in his left wrist since the preseason with Boston, saw the issue flare up after arriving in Chicago—most notably during a game against the Pistons on February 21. He has missed games consistently since, but recent trends have been encouraging.
The Bulls announced Simons will be re-evaluated in 10 days. If progress continues, a potential return could align with the March 27 matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder—meaning he would sit out five more games in the interim. That would push his total absences with Chicago to around 15 contests, leaving just nine games on the schedule.
These “re-evaluation” updates carry an inherent caution: neither player’s return is guaranteed after the specified periods. The language leaves room for setbacks or extended recovery.
With so little at stake in the standings, the Bulls face a strategic dilemma. Shutting down either (or both) players to prioritize long-term health makes sense—especially for Ivey, whose career trajectory could benefit most from a full, uninterrupted offseason. Preserving their bodies now could prove far more valuable than squeezing out marginal contributions in meaningless late-season games.
Yet the team still expresses hope for returns before the campaign ends, suggesting they see upside in evaluating these pieces in live action. For a franchise in transition, these final weeks represent a critical window to gather data on potential building blocks.
As the calendar flips deeper into March, all eyes will be on those upcoming re-evaluations. The Bulls’ “bombshell” update offers optimism tempered by realism—a fitting summary of their season-long balancing act between competition and future planning.