The Chicago Bulls announced a new roster move that sends former first‑round pick Rob Dillingham to the Charlotte Hornets. In return, the Bulls receive veteran forward Buddy Hield along with cash considerations, as reported by ESPN on Saturday.
Details of the trade
Dillingham, 21, will be on his third NBA team. He was originally selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Kentucky and was immediately traded to Minnesota. The Timberwolves later dealt him to Chicago on Feb. 5, 2026.
During the 2025‑26 season, Dillingham appeared in 30 games for the Bulls, averaging 9.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists in 21.5 minutes per contest. Over his career to date, he has logged 114 games (one start) with the Timberwolves and Bulls, posting averages of 5.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 13.0 minutes per game.
Buddy Hield joins Chicago
Buddy Hield, 33, arrives in Chicago after a brief stint with the Hornets. Earlier in the week, Hield was part of a multi‑player deal that sent him from the Atlanta Hawks to Charlotte, along with guard Ryan Nembhard and cash, in exchange for forward Dorian Finney‑Smith.
Hield’s career numbers include 14.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He split last season between the Golden State Warriors (44 games) and the Hawks (seven games), averaging a career‑low 7.6 points per contest. His highest scoring average came in 2018‑19 when he posted 20.7 points per game for the Sacramento Kings.
The Bulls will be Hield’s eighth team. He has made 2,201 three‑pointers in his career, ranking 15th‑most in NBA history, and he shoots 39.5% from beyond the arc.
Additional Hornets news
Charlotte also reported that second‑year sharpshooter Kon Knueppel suffered a left hamstring injury during an offseason on‑court activity and could miss the start of the regular season.
The trade gives Chicago a proven scorer who can stretch defenses with his shooting, while the Hornets acquire a young guard with upside and a recent first‑round pedigree.
Implications for both clubs
For the Bulls, adding Hield provides immediate veteran shooting depth as they look to bolster their offense heading into the upcoming season. Hield’s experience and ability to hit perimeter shots should complement Chicago’s existing roster and give head coach a reliable option off the bench.
The Hornets, meanwhile, gain a young point guard who still has room to develop. Dillingham’s size and skill set could fit well with Charlotte’s rebuilding timeline, and the cash component helps balance the financial aspects of the deal.
Both teams will need to integrate the new players during training camp, but the trade signals a clear strategic direction: Chicago seeks proven scoring to stay competitive, while Charlotte invests in youthful potential for the future.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
