Patrick Williams and the Bulls Are at a Crossroads - and the League Is Watching
Every trade deadline cycle has its share of names that surface in rumors - some expected, others surprising. But this year, one name stands out for a different reason: Patrick Williams. Once viewed as a key piece of Chicago’s future, Williams now finds himself at the center of a quiet but telling league-wide hesitation.
The Bulls are actively trying to reshape their roster, looking for pieces that offer more flexibility and long-term upside. Williams, unfortunately, no longer fits that mold - at least not in the eyes of most front offices. According to league reports, Chicago has been pushing hard to move the 22-year-old forward, but so far, there haven’t been any takers.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player who was the No. 4 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and once projected as a two-way cornerstone. In July 2024, the Bulls doubled down on that belief, signing Williams to a five-year, $90 million extension. Just 18 months later, that deal is aging poorly - and the Bulls know it.
This season, Williams is logging a career-low 18.6 minutes per game. Injuries have been part of the story, but inconsistency has been the bigger issue. He’s struggled to carve out a defined role, and as his minutes have dipped, so has his value around the league.
Front offices aren’t just wary of his current production - they’re looking at the long-term commitment. Williams’ contract runs through the 2028-29 season, and for teams already tight on cap space, taking on that kind of deal without clear upside is a hard sell.
The result? A market that’s gone cold.
Even teams in need of wing depth - like the Los Angeles Lakers - are reportedly passing on Williams. While they continue to scan the market, league insiders suggest L.A. is more interested in reunion scenarios, such as a potential move for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, rather than absorbing Williams’ contract.
That tells you a lot about where Williams’ stock stands right now.
For the Bulls, this is a waiting game they didn’t want to play. They were hoping that Williams would take a leap, that his blend of size, athleticism, and defensive potential would finally translate into consistent production. Instead, they’re left trying to offload a deal that no one seems eager to take on.
To be clear, Williams still has tools - he’s just yet to put them together in a way that moves the needle. And in a league where timelines are tight and patience is thinner than ever, that’s a problem.
Chicago’s front office now finds itself in a bind. They want to retool.
They want to open up future flexibility. But with Williams’ value at an all-time low, they may have no choice but to ride this out and hope he can turn things around - either to help the team on the court or to rebuild enough trade value to make a move down the line.
Right now, the Bulls are stuck. They want certainty.
Other teams want upside without the risk. And Patrick Williams is caught in the middle - a former top pick still searching for his place in the league.