The Chicago Bulls ran out of gas a quarter mile from the finish line on Tuesday. The Bulls had carved a New Orleans Pelicans 13-point lead to four points in less than two minutes. Every ounce of momentum in the building was behind the home team.

These five players could be re-routed ahead of the NBA's Feb. 6 trade deadline and profile as potentially meaningful contributors to a title run.

The New Orleans Pelicans and Chicago Bulls are two teams expected to sell at the NBA trade deadline. For New Orleans, former All-Stars like Zion Williamson and

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

The Bulls' front office hasn't said anything about its plan as the trade deadline Feb. 6 nears, but losses such as the one Tuesday to the nine-win Pelicans should be all the information it needs.

The Chicago Bulls lost to the injury-riddled New Orleans Pelicans with a final score of 119-113. This marked only one of eight games New Orleans' star Zion Williamson has participated in this season.

The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Chicago Bulls 119-113 on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at the United Center. Chicago Bulls forward Jalen Smith (7) dunks the ball during the fourth period against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Who is going to make a move that puts them closer to an NBA title? Six trades we want to see before the February 6 trade deadline:

New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) hangs from the rim after dunking ... Huh) Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) drives to the basket as New Orleans Pelicans guard CJ McCollum (3) guards during the first half of an NBA basketball game in ...

The New Orleans Pelicans ended the first half of the season just like they started the season: with a win over the Chicago Bulls.

According to the latest Chicago Bulls trade rumors, the team isn't interested in acquiring New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion

Zion Williamson highlighted a 24-point, 14-rebound performance with an array of thunderous dunks during a dominant fourth-quarter stint, and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Utah Jazz 136-123 on Friday night to open a two-game set.