As the Chicago Bulls continue to reshape their roster, the need to land a future-proof forward has become apparent. Patrick Williams hasn’t had the impact many had hoped for. As such, the Bulls could look toward the trade market to acquire a high-level wing.
Jonathan Kuminga has been the most discussed player the franchise could target. However, a recent trade proposal from ESPN’s Chris Herring took a different approach. Herring’s idea would see the RJ Barrett swapping the Toronto Raptors for the Windy City.
The proposed trade looks like this:
Bulls Get: RJ Barrett
Raptors Get: Patrick Williams, Jevon Carter and the 12th overall pick in the 2025 draft.
“The Bulls would, in the 25-year-old Barrett, add another 20-point scorer to their young lineup and in doing so move on from Williams, the 2020 fourth overall pick who has regressed offensively after signing a five-year, $90 million deal,” Herring wrote. “The upside for Chicago is that it should get far more nightly box-score production, especially in terms of scoring, from the Canadian southpaw, aiding the Bulls’ 20th-ranked offense.”
Barrett would give Chicago a high-level scoring option on the wing. Barrett’s scoring and secondary playmaking would take some of the pressure off Coby White. The impressive guard has led the Bulls’ scoring charts for the past two seasons.
Furthermore, the proposed trade would also help shed Williams’ salary, especially as he has struggled to cement himself in Billy Donovan’s rotation.
Bulls Urged to Make Tough Decisions
Moving on from Williams could be the start of an exodus from the Bulls. Both Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu are entering the final year of their respective contracts. Chicago is unlikely to pay both guards. As such, one of the two could be heading for an exit, either via trade this season or in free agency next summer.
In a recent debate on the “Chicago Lead,” K.C. Johnson shared his thoughts on the Bulls upcoming roster decisions.
“From my seat they’ve got to try to look to trade either Ayo [Dosunmu] or Coby [White],” Johnson said. “I think it will be very hard to re-sign both of them after next year when they both hit unrestricted free agency. You’ve got to get out in front of things like that…And, you’ve got to make these hard decisions, because you’re not going to be re-signing Josh Giddey this summer, and Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White after next summer. I just don’t see that.”
White has formed a strong partnership with Josh Giddey. The Bulls’ starting backcourt looks set for years to come. As such, it would be interesting if Chicago began shopping White in the coming months.
Bulls Must Avoid an Overpay
Unless Chicago makes a draft night trade like the one Herring proposed, their focus will continue to be on re-signing Giddey. Keeping the impressive guard around will undoubtedly be atop the team’s priority list.
Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale believes the Bulls must avoid overpaying Giddey in free agency. He’s been projected to earn a $150 million contract this summer.
“Chicago has no reason to keep negotiating against itself,” Favale explained. “There is not going to be a market above the bigger mid-level exception of $14.1 million for the 22-year-old unless the Brooklyn Nets are feeling spicy. Just like last year with Patrick Williams, the Bulls hold all the cards. They folded in those previous negotiations anyway, giving Williams a five-year pact that has aged into one of the NBA’s least attractive contracts. They can’t afford to make the same (inexplicable) error with Giddey.”
The Bulls will be an exciting team to follow this summer. They have a plethora of options at their disposal. They can make moves, stand pat, or swing for the fences. Whatever the Bulls choose to do, the fan base will likely be on board. After all, the front office appears to have a blueprint. And that alone, is reason to be cautiously optimistic for the future.
