As the Chicago Bulls navigate the early stages of a full-scale organizational rebuild under executive Marc Eversley, the franchise's primary currency isn't immediate wins—it’s future flexibility and developmental upside. In the modern NBA, operating as an open salary-dump destination for cap-strapped contenders represents one of the fastest ways to stockpile draft assets while taking flyer swings on young talent.
With rumors swirling that the New Orleans Pelicans are actively looking to trade 24-year-old guard Jordan Hawkins to clear financial and roster flexibility, Bulls On SI analyst Elias Schuster suggested that Chicago should be at the front of the line to absorb the former 2023 first-round pick.
For a Bulls squad quietly collecting young assets, taking a low-risk gamble on a movement shooter while extracting draft capital from New Orleans is the exact type of opportunistic asset allocation a rebuilding front office should execute.
The New Orleans Motivation: The $7 Million Cap Hurdle
To understand why a 24-year-old former 14th overall pick is on the trade block, one must look at the administrative realities facing New Orleans general manager Joe Dumars.
Hawkins' developmental arc in New Orleans hit a significant wall during the 2025–26 season, where his playing time plummeted to a career-low 13.6 minutes per game across 51 appearances, shooting just 36.6% from the field.
Because New Orleans exercised his $7.02 million option last fall, they are now forced to navigate a salary dump if they want to utilize their full $15 million Mid-Level Exception (MLE) without triggering heavy luxury tax penalties. Given Hawkins' declining role, league insiders expect New Orleans may even have to attach draft compensation—such as a future second-round pick—just to persuade a suitor to absorb his contract cleanly.
The Chicago Blueprint: Low-Risk, High-Upside Floor Spacing
For the Bulls, stepping in as the facilitator presents a zero-loss proposition. Chicago possesses the available cap room or trade exceptions to absorb Hawkins’ $7.02 million deal without sending back matching player salaries.
During his national championship run at UConn and his rookie season in New Orleans (where he averaged 7.8 PPG and made 36.6% of his threes), Hawkins demonstrated elite off-ball movement, fluid catch-and-shoot mechanics, and effortless range.
While his sophomore and junior campaigns were plagued by inconsistent minutes and defensive struggles in New Orleans' crowded wing rotation, a rebuilding Chicago environment offers the exact low-pressure canvas Hawkins needs. On a rebuilding team with ample backcourt minutes available, head coach Billy Donovan could give Hawkins the green light to run off screens and re-establish his rhythm as a high-volume perimeter threat.
The Executive Verdict
If Hawkins thrives in Chicago, the Bulls acquire a 24-year-old movement shooter to pair alongside their young core on a team-friendly restricted free agency track next summer. If he fails to carve out a permanent role, his $7.02 million contract simply expires at the end of the 2026–27 season, leaving Chicago’s long-term balance sheet completely untouched—all while keeping the draft pick extracted from New Orleans in their asset vault.
Rebuilds are won on the margins. By stepping up to absorb Jordan Hawkins' contract, Marc Eversley can turn Chicago's open cap space into immediate draft capital while taking a zero-risk swing on a former lottery talent.
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