As the NBA Trade Deadline rapidly approaches, the social feeds, news outlets, and other sources of information should all be overflooding with trade speculation. For a team like the Los Angeles Lakers, who are usually connected to players in every direction, fans will have a hard time keeping up with the latest reports.
To that sentiment, the latest news out of Chicago should have Lakers faithful perking their ears upward. The Chicago Bulls will likely be in a situation where most players on the roster should be available for trade, to some capacity. This most recent report implies there will be at least one member of the roster joining Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic as a player who will be actively shopped.
Patrick Williams is reportedly being added to the trade block
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Chicago is ready to potentially move on from 23-year-old forward Patrick Williams.
"A source Saturday told the Sun-Times that [Arturas] Karnisovas finally has bought in to the idea that 23-year-old forward Patrick Williams needs a change of scenery, opening the door for him to be on the trade block, too."Joe Cowley
The Bulls could have parted ways with Williams this past offseason. Instead, they chose to re-sign him to a brand-new five-year deal. It sounds like Chicago is experiencing some buyer's remorse.
"The Bulls’ coaching staff has been trying to unlock Williams’ potential for years. And while he has had setbacks with injuries, the source said Williams hasn’t been easy to work with.Joe Cowley
As is the case with most NBA teams, individual coaches are matched up with individual players, and there has been frustration on both sides with previous matchups. The source stressed that Williams hasn’t been volatile or difficult in terms of his behavior. It’s more about him not being completely comfortable to buy in to what’s being communicated."
Perhaps if the fit with the Bulls is no longer working then a change of scenery can tap back into the potential that Williams has showcased. The two-way forward has flashed upside of three-and-d brilliance before. That mold of player would be a tremendous addition to support the duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Williams is struggling during the 2024-25 NBA season. While the fifth-year pro is still connecting on 36.7 percent from beyond the arc, he is posting a disappointing 38.1 percent from the field overall. To speak to the poor fit with the Bulls some more, Williams also has a career-low -3.1 box plus/minus.
Given the underwhelming campaign in Chicago, the price tag for his services should not be overly expensive. His estimated $18 million contract should be well within the ballpark of what the Lakers could pursue with some of their trade pieces. Williams represents an excellent buy-low option for a talented player before Feb. 6 locks the Lakers into what their roster will mostly look like for the rest of the year.