NBA Rumors: Patrick Williams could emerge as in-demand trade candidate

Dec 4, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) drives the ball during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2022; Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) drives the ball during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA Rumors: Patrick Williams could emerge as another in-demand trade deadline candidate. 

Through the first month of the season, the Chicago Bulls are 5-10. While it’s not entirely the time to throw the towel in on the season – that would probably be foolish after the first 15 games – the clock is certainly ticking for a team that has been stuck in mediocrity over the last few years. If something doesn’t change quickly, the Bulls will likely be forced into somewhat of a retooling.

I don’t think the Bulls can endure another season of disappointment without making some level of changes to their roster. That would be malpractice. And over the last few weeks, we’ve heard whispers of that possibility.

DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Alex Caruso are all Bulls that have popped up in the rumor mill recently. While it doesn’t appear that the Bulls are openly shopping those players just yet, the belief is that could change over the course of the next few weeks if the Bulls don’t start stacking together wins.

In fact, there could be other intriguing Bulls that emerge as possible trade candidates at the deadline if they do in fact move forward with a firesale.

According to a recent report, Patrick Williams is one other Bulls player who could emerge as an in-demand trade deadline candidate. Williams is in the fourth season of his young career but has not lived up to being a top 5 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

He’s had flashes where you can clearly see his raw talent but for one reason or another, Williams hasn’t worked out with the Bulls. At this point, as he prepares to hit restricted free agency, it might be in the best interest of both sides to explore a trade.

Patrick Williams could benefit from a fresh start

Williams is an interesting prospect, still at just 22 years old, who has shown promise on both ends of the floor. Last season, Williams averaged 10 points and four rebounds on 46 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent shooting from 3-point range.

Admittedly, Williams has had a rough start to this season. But his potential alone should deliver him another opportunity in the Association. He deserves a fresh start. The question is, where will that happen? And will it come as soon as the NBA Trade Deadline or perhaps not until the offseason?

Next. NBA Trade Rumors: Predicting how 7 early-season trade whispers will end. dark

Either way, it seems like Williams and the Bulls are going to part ways sooner rather than later.