Chicago Is "More Willing Than Ever" To Part Ways With Former Top-Five Pick

After a three-year hiatus from executing any trades, two swaps happened nearly back-to-back when Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan were shipped away last summer. Now that they've cracked the seal on continuing to engage in trades, media and fans alike are eager to jump on any potential rumors of moving pieces. While the legitimacy of some reports versus others can be questioned, a few whispers seem to align with the eye test reasonably accurately. NBA insider Jake Fischer, who confirmed a few weeks ago that the Bulls were still actively shopping Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, has just chimed in on another controversial Chicago asset. Who has Fischer isolated, and what's the latest on his potential movement?

Patrick Williams On The Hot Seat

Patrick Williams, the fourth overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, has arguably been the most disappointing draft pick in Chicago's recent memory. Not only was he surrounded by All-Star caliber talent in the class, but he's constantly injured, has shown no substantial improvement since coming into the league five seasons ago, and has created a roadblock for roster reconstruction with a wasted top-five pick and burned salary space. There's a valid stance that he's a significant reason the Bulls are stuck in the mediocre state they have been in for the past five years and the foreseeable future. Through the first 19 games of the 2024 campaign, of which he has only played 15 due to injury, he's been as lackluster as any other year. What is the difference between this season and the previous four? There is a younger, more athletic, and rapidly improving replacement nipping on his heels.

The Chicago Bulls are reportedly willing to discuss Patrick Williams’ name in trade talks, per @JakeLFischer pic.twitter.com/T1HMSf4X2e

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) November 27, 2024

Matas Buzelis, Chicago's 11th overall selection in this year's draft, has taken advantage of his opportunities early. After not seeing much action through the first few weeks of the season, after injuries to Lonzo Ball and Patrick Williams, his volume has increased quickly, and he has not disappointed. Over the last three outings, Buzelis has averaged 22 minutes, 10.7 points, and four rebounds, those 10.7 points already being higher than Williams's career points per game and higher than any individual season he's ever posted. While it is only a three-game sample, the sudden plug-and-play of Buzelis, coupled with the newfound willingness to part ways with Williams, shows that Billy Donovan and Arturas Karnisovas are seeing the signs.

Not Scared Of Blossoming Elsewhere, But Wish Him The Best

The former Florida State Seminole has plenty of room to grow in the NBA, but his time in Chicago has run its' course. His statistics haven't changed one bit since his rookie campaign, and he's gotten worse in many ways offensively. He's missed 34.3% of his games since being drafted and was oddly demanding in contract talks when he didn't have much progression to prove worthy of a lucrative contract. The question that Bulls fans now ask is, will he develop into an NBA starter or All-Star elsewhere? A valid fear, having seen Daniel Gafford, Cameron Payne, Lauri Markkanen, Bobby Portis, and Wendell Carter Jr., to name a few, all become contributors to championship-level basketball or several-season starters in their respective homes.

While Williams is only 23 years old and has the physical attributes and defensive prowess to become a dependable two-way player in the NBA, it's not happening in a Bulls jersey. He's shown so few consistent signs of becoming consistent enough to earn a starting gig elsewhere right now, and even if he clawed his way into a starting lineup, Chicago has to stop burning time and assets on his failing development.

What's the market for Patrick Williams look like, and how cheap are the Bulls willing to sell? Regardless, Buzelis is the more exciting and polished player who can turn the franchise around.