The Bulls haven't made a trade deadline deal since 2021 when they sent Wendell Carter Jr. and two first-round picks in exchange for Nikola Vucevic. Chief executive Arturas Karnisovas can't afford to continue that inactivity for a third time.

Nikola Vučević is in rare form this season and contending teams could benefit from a stretch-center shooting 40.6% from 3-point range.

Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic dropped 33 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists on 15-21 shooting in a losing effort, while Bulls star Zach LaVine led Chicago with 21 points. The Bulls picked up their 20th win of the season in a big surprise upset over Denver, giving the team something to be happy about as they head toward a gloomy trade deadline.