The Chicago Bulls are sitting at 19-22, and if that record feels familiar, it’s because this team has been stuck in a loop all season-riding the highs of five-game win streaks, only to tumble back down with equally long losing skids. That inconsistency has become a defining trait of this Bulls campaign, and as the trade deadline creeps closer, the same old question is back on the table: will the front office shake things up, stand pat, or start selling?
Under Executive VP of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas, the Bulls have typically played things close to the chest this time of year. Outside of the Nikola Vučević trade a few seasons back, splashy moves have been few and far between.
But this season feels different. There’s a growing sense around the league that Chicago might finally be ready to move on from a player who’s long been a symbol of unrealized potential: Patrick Williams.
A Tough Pill to Swallow: The Patrick Williams Dilemma
Let’s rewind to 2020. The Bulls held their highest draft pick since taking Derrick Rose first overall in 2008.
With the No. 4 pick, they selected Patrick Williams, a versatile forward out of Florida State with upside on both ends of the floor. His rookie year showed flashes-enough to earn him All-Rookie Second Team honors-but the breakout never came.
Fast forward to July 2024, when the Bulls handed Williams a five-year, $90 million extension. It was a deal that raised eyebrows at the time, and now, a year and a half later, it’s looking like a misfire.
Williams hasn’t just plateaued-he’s regressed. He’s logging the fewest minutes of his career, his offensive impact has dwindled, and his role in the rotation has become increasingly uncertain.
The frustration among Bulls fans is understandable. Williams was Karnišovas’s first major draft selection, and the front office has stuck with him longer than most teams would for a player drafted that high who hasn’t shown consistent growth.
Whether it was hope, pride, or a bit of both, the Bulls kept betting on his potential. Now, it seems they’re finally ready to fold that hand.
Trade Market Reality Check
Here’s the catch: there doesn’t seem to be much of a market for Williams right now. As the deadline nears, his name has reportedly been floated in trade talks, but so far, there’s been little traction. Around the league, teams are wary of what they’ve seen-an injury-prone forward who struggles to assert himself offensively and hasn’t shown the motor or consistency needed to thrive at the NBA level.
That doesn’t mean a deal won’t happen. Sometimes, a change of scenery is the best thing for a player and a franchise.
For the Bulls, moving Williams would be less about the return and more about clearing the books of an $18 million annual commitment that no longer fits their direction. Even a modest return-think a second-round pick or an expiring veteran contract-might be enough to justify the move.
The Bigger Picture
If the Bulls do end up holding onto Williams past the deadline, it’ll raise more questions about the front office’s long-term vision. This isn’t just about one player-it’s about a team that’s been stuck in neutral for years, unable to commit fully to a rebuild or push all-in on contention. Williams, in many ways, has become a symbol of that indecision.
There’s still time for Chicago to chart a new course, and moving on from Williams could be a step in that direction. It wouldn’t undo the past, but it might finally signal a willingness to make the tough calls necessary to reshape the roster.
For now, Bulls fans will be watching closely-not just to see if Williams is moved, but to see whether this front office is ready to take a stand and start building a more defined identity. The clock is ticking.