Bulls’ $90 Million Forward Reportedly Available For Trade

The Chicago Bulls head into the NBA Draft on June 25 armed with the 12th overall pick.

Arturas Karnisovas appears open to making a draft-day trade, with Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reporting that the Bulls could include Patrick Williams in a multi-team deal.

“According to a source, the Bulls and Karnisovas have been more responsive to trade talks than they have been in the past,” Cowley reported. “And while Ball, Vucevic and White are all possibilities to be moved, the name atop Karnisovas’ list to deal entering the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday is Patrick Williams.”

Cowley continued.

“The Bulls have reached the point where they’ve run through most of their developmental staff in an effort to pair Williams with the right personal coach, only to see no upward movement,” Cowley continued. “Considering Karnisovas made a desperate attempt to motivate Williams with the security of a five-year, $90 million contract extension last summer, the only way he knows he can trade him is in a package or part of a multiteam deal.”

In any trade involving Williams, the Bulls will likely be seeking a young high-upside talent or an additional first-round draft pick.

Bulls Could Look to Trade Up

In a June 24 report from Jake Fischer, via The Stein Line Newsletter, the Bulls have shown an interest in trading up in the June 25 draft.

“There have been some fresh whispers … about the Bulls angling to trade up from their No. 12 spot in Wednesday’s draft in pursuit of size,” Fischer reported.

The most likely target for Chicago would be Khaman Maluach out of Duke. Maluach would give the Bulls a true big man for the future. Furthermore, he projects as a potential pick-and-roll partner for Josh Giddey. That is assuming the franchise re-signs him this summer. Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game this past season with the Blue Devils.

Bulls Could Also Target Derek Queen

Another big man target for the Bulls would be Derek Queen out of Maryland. In Jonathan Givony’s latest mock draft for ESPN, he predicted that Chicago would target the young big man as a potential long-term replacement for Nikola Vucevic.

“The Bulls don’t have much in the way of long-term keepers in the big-man department, with Nikola Vucevic, 35, a trade candidate entering the final year of his contract,” Givony wrote. “Queen, Joan Beringer, and Thomas Sorber are said to be among the prospects they might consider with this pick at No. 12. Queen is the most skilled big man in this class. He is a terrific target in pick-and-roll, can create his own shot facing the basket with a wide array of moves and has intriguing passing ability.”

Queen is a highly skilled big man. He would slot seamlessly into Billy Donovan’s rotation. Furthermore, he has tremendous upside and could quickly establish himself as part of the starting lineup. He should also be available in the Bulls’ current draft range. Therfore targeting him would remove the pressure of finding a willing trade partner.

As with anything on draft night, the Bulls’ situation is likely fluid. It’s hard to predict what moves the front offices will make. Nevertheless, trading Williams could be a smart move. It’s clear he isn’t meshing with the current Bulls system and staff. A fresh start could be in everyone’s best interests.