Whether it’s unfounded or not, there’s been rumors surrounding the Chicago Bulls trading young forward Patrick Williams.
Currently sidelined with a wrist injury, the former No. 4 pick earned All-Rookie honors last season. He was previously seen as a building block for Chicago.
However, things have changed since a season ago. The Bulls currently sit with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 25-10. They have done this without Williams in the mix.
With a core group consisting of likely All-Stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine as well as solid starters Lonzo Ball and Nikola Vučević, the Bulls are clearly in win-now mode. It makes sense for Chicago to move off Patrick Williams and/or Coby White to find another core player moving forward on the season. Here’s a look at three ideal trade scenarios.
Chicago Bulls trade Patrick Williams to the Detroit Pistons
- Bulls get: Jerami Grant, two second-round picks
- Pistons get: Patrick Williams, Derrick Jones Jr.
Not only would this move net Chicago a 20-point scorer in the underrated Grant, it would fill out the team’s starting five in a big way. The veteran is a perfect fit to go with Vučević in the frontcourt and has been an All-Star caliber player since joining Detroit last season (21.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 43% shooting, 34% three-point).
Related: Ideal Jerami Grant trade scenarios
For Detroit, it makes all the sense in the world to move off Grant. The team currently boasts the second-worst record in the Association at 7-29. Saddiq Bey is also playing at an extraordinary level recently (23.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 38% three-point over past 10 games). The Pistons are not anywhere near contention back east. Adding Williams to the mix to go with Bey and Cade Cunningham could make for a dynamic trio moving forward.
Related: Updated NBA trade rumors
Houston Rockets land Patrick Williams to help with rebuild
- Bulls get: Christian Wood, Daniel Theis
- Rockets get: Patrick Williams, Derrick Jones Jr., Marko Simonovic, two second-round picks
There’s been rumors that the Rockets will look to move off Wood. That’s been magnified recently following a spat with the team’s coaching staff. He’s one of the few big-time assets general manager Rafael Stone boasts to expedite what promises to be a long-term rebuild. Trading Wood makes the most sense. Williams would serve as an amazing building block to go wtih Jalen Green and what promises to be a high 2022 NBA Draft pick.
- Christian Wood stats (past two seasons): 19.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 50% shooting, 36% three-point
These numbers are eye-opening. And in reality, it’s not a stretch to say Wood would be a perfect fit in Billy Donovan’s system. His three-point shooting would be a boon for a team that’s lacking it to an extent. While DeRozan has been a godsend, he’s never boasted three-point shooting ability. Having someone else in the frontcourt who can stretch the court could make Chicago overwhelming favorites back east.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA Playoff and Finals predictions
Chicago Bulls pull off blockbuster trade with Indiana Pacers
- Bulls get: Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Warren
- Pacers get: Patrick Williams, Coby White, Derrick Jones Jr., Troy Brown Jr., 2027 first-round pick
Why not go all in right now? That has to be the question Bulls front office executive Artūras Karnišovas is asking himself ahead of the NBA trade deadline. If that is indeed the case, using both Williams and another former lottery pick in White as bait makes sense. And in reality, acquiring Sabonis would put this Chicago squad over the top. He’s legitimately one of the best all-around bigs in the game and would make sweet music with Vučević in the Windy City.
- Domantas Sabonis stats (since start of 2019-20 season): 19.2 PPG, 12.1 RPG, 5.5 APG, 55% shooting
As for Indiana, the team is going nowhere fast under head coach Rick Carlisle. It’s led to rumors that both Sabonis and Myles Turner could be moved with the former representing much more value in a trade. Adding two young lottery picks to the mix to go with Chris Duarte would definitely help expedite the retooling process in Indiana. There’s no question about that.