Chicago Surges As New Favorite To Land Giannis Antetokounmpo, Here’s Their Updated Offer
Last night, the Chicago Bulls executed their first trade of the 2026 NBA trade deadline. With the February 5th cutoff rapidly approaching, all eyes are on Arturas Karnisovas. He’s historically been very poor in Chicago, and he’s already lost the trust of the majority of the fanbase. One significant splash in the next five days could change everyone’s mind on the front office leader, and a recent seismic shift in the betting odds to land superstar forward Giannis Antetokounmpo suggests it could be on the horizon. Late Saturday night, the Bulls netted two second-round picks and the expiring contract of Dario Saric in exchange for helping complete a trade between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Sacramento Kings. As suggested here, this only helps Karnisovas build a more appealing package for another looming deal.
Bulls Surge Up The Odds Board To Land Former MVP
This morning featured a chaotic spike in Chicago’s chances to land the 31-year-old superstar from the Milwaukee Bucks. Before today, they had the 14th-best odds to acquire the Greek Freak and pull off the biggest blockbuster deal in franchise history. Less than 24 hours later, they are now second on the list, only behind the Bucks, who are favored to retain their superstar until this summer, when trade talks would restart. How did Chicago make such a leap with only one minimal trade?
Giannis to the Bulls steam keeps picking up
Chicago is the most bet team for this market by far and is now down to +310 pic.twitter.com/k0BT6Op7VJ
— DK Insights (@DKInsights_) February 1, 2026
This list will continue to shift over the next several days, but this is not a minor alteration. The Bulls have the assets, although they’re likely unwilling to part with the ones needed to get it done. Does AK make the biggest gamble of his Chicago tenure?
The Potential Deal
The most realistic and plausible package the Chicago Bulls could put together would come with a serious risk: shipping off Matas Buzelis. With the Bucks wanting genuine blue-chip young talent, Buzelis or Giddey would need to be included. They’re the only two controllable roster pieces with All-Star potential under contract for several years who are both under 22. In addition, to help match Antetokounmpo’s lucrative salary, Nikola Vucevic would need to be added. He’s on an expiring deal, which enhances the appeal because the Bucks are looking to free up cap space this summer and helps balance the incoming versus outgoing value from a monetary perspective. Adding Dario Saric supports the theory that the 35-year-old big man will be shipped out. Kevin Huerter, or a similar short-term contract of equal value, would likely be thrown in to square away the salary-matching aspect. Lastly, Ayo Dosunmu and first-round capital would complete the proposal. Dosunmu has shown All-Star-level play this season, has emerged as one of the league’s most efficient and effective three-point shooters and all-around talents, and is young enough to invest in moving forward. Add a few first-round picks, and all the boxes are checked for both organizations.
Ayo Dosunmu and the Bulls win a THRILLER in Miami!
29 PTS (season-high)
8 REB
9 AST
5 3PMHe’s the first @chicagobulls player to record 25+ PTS, 5+ REB, 5+ AST, and 5+ 3PM this season! pic.twitter.com/RfjWGPSGYX
— NBA (@NBA) February 1, 2026
As Chicago’s odds continue to rise in the Antetokounmpo sweepstakes, a fleeting hope is building amongst the fans. They have the assets, the former NBA Finals MVP has expressed a desire to play for the historic franchise, and Karnisovas is managing this deadline with his job at stake.
Does AK pull off the biggest deal in franchise history and change the entire narrative around his time with the Bulls, or is today’s news simply smoke because of last night’s added draft stock that’ll fizzle out before Thursday’s cutoff?