The Chicago Bulls have traded Rob Dillingham to the Charlotte Hornets for Buddy Hield and cash, the teams announced Sunday.
Dillingham, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NBA draft and still just 21 years old, was moved less than a year after landing in Chicago at the trade deadline last season. He appeared in 30 games for the Bulls, averaging 9.6 points and 2.8 assists. He could have a chance for a larger role in Charlotte, which traded longtime starting guard LaMelo Ball to the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this offseason. Dillingham also joins the Hornets after Charlotte announced Friday that second-year guard Kon Knueppel has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. The Hornets created a $9.6 million trade exception with the deal.
Hield spent less than a week with the Hornets, who acquired the veteran sharpshooter from the Atlanta Hawks for Dorian Finney-Smith. Hield, known as a positive and high-energy player, has history with Bulls executive vice president Bryson Graham from their time together in New Orleans. Dillingham has one more year via a team option on his rookie contract before hitting restricted free agency in the summer of 2028. Hield has a player option worth around $10 million for the 2027-28 season.
Chicago’s acquisition of Buddy Hield from the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Rob Dillingham addresses an obvious concern heading into training camp: perimeter shooting. But the decision to trade a young former lottery pick for an established veteran also raises questions about how the Bulls intend to approach their rebuild. With an available standard roster spot and an opening for a third two-way contract, executive vice president Bryson Graham and new head coach Tiago Splitter still have decisions to make before the regular season.
Before acquiring Hield, the Bulls faced legitimate questions about the offensive spacing surrounding their potential starting lineup of Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis and Nic Claxton. Giddey is most effective when surrounded by players who can capitalize on his passing, while Powell provides established perimeter scoring. However, Wilson and Buzelis are still developing their outside shooting, and Claxton offers limited floor spacing. Hield gives Splitter another option. The veteran guard has connected on 39.5% of his career three-point attempts while averaging 7.3 attempts per game. Although he shot just 34.9% from beyond the arc last season, his established shooting ability could help Chicago create additional space for its young players.
More importantly, acquiring Hield suggests Graham is willing to sacrifice some developmental upside to address the immediate needs of his roster. Dillingham, the eighth overall selection in the 2024 NBA Draft, represented another young player Chicago could have evaluated during its rebuild. Instead, the Bulls moved him for a veteran whose shooting could make life easier for Giddey, Wilson and Buzelis. That decision changes the conversation surrounding Chicago’s final roster spot. Rather than searching for another perimeter shooter, the Bulls can now evaluate whether their remaining flexibility would be better spent addressing a different weakness or creating another developmental opportunity.
Chicago doesn’t necessarily need to fill its remaining standard roster opening before the regular season. With Hield joining Powell as another experienced perimeter contributor, the Bulls have additional flexibility to evaluate their younger players without immediately committing to another veteran. Training camp cuts around the league could create opportunities to acquire players who better complement Chicago’s roster. Maintaining an opening would also give Graham additional flexibility in potential trade discussions.
While Hield addresses an immediate need, Chicago’s remaining two-way contract offers an opportunity to continue investing in its future. With Jaylin Sellers and Tobe Awaka occupying two of the Bulls’ three two-way spots, the final opening could become an intriguing training camp storyline. Former Miami of Ohio player Peter Suder, who reportedly agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract ahead of training camp, could compete for that opportunity. The decision to trade Dillingham adds another dimension to the competition. By moving a young guard for an established shooter, Chicago has reduced the number of developmental opportunities available in its backcourt. Its final two-way contract could provide an opportunity to invest in another young prospect without requiring significant NBA minutes.
Chicago will also receive cash considerations in the deal, which creates a large trade exception for Charlotte. The Hornets are extending the value play in a busy offseason, turning around the recently acquired Buddy Hield to the Bulls. Chicago sends Rob Dillingham to Charlotte, now his third team since February’s trade deadline, when he was first shipped from the Timberwolves in the deal for Ayo Dosunmu. The Hornets shed salary and take a chance on Dillingham’s potential as a combo guard, while creating a trade exception in the value of Hield’s larger deal. The Bulls gain an impactful, high-volume shooter and cash to cover the differential. This will be Hield’s 7th team as he enters season No. 11. The Bulls add a veteran shooter in Hield, who landed in Charlotte via trade from Atlanta, while the Hornets create a $9.6 million trade exception and take in $3 million less in salary. Chicago gets cash to make up for a good chunk of the difference in salaries.
