It’s been over a week since Patrick Williams’ trade restriction was lifted. The 23-year-old forward signed a five-year, $90 million contract with the Chicago Bulls in July, prolonging Chicago’s inability to trade Williams through the offseason and even midway through the 2024-25 season.
However, the Bulls’ Front Office’s plan surely wasn’t to make their former lottery pick expendable six months after signing him to a lucrative extension. The hope was that the 6-foot-8 wing would further improve upon back-to-back noteworthy campaigns. Although Williams didn’t wow statistically, he shot above 44 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three in 2022-23 and 2023-24.
Last offseason, Chicago prioritized youth, re-signing Williams, allowing 35-year-old DeMar DeRozan to walk, and swapping 30-year-old Alex Caruso for then-21-year-old Josh Giddey. Despite the clear emphasis on the future, Williams has struggled in his fifth professional season. His minutes, scoring, and efficiency are down from last season even though he’s started in all but one contest.
Williams’ progression has plateaued after suiting up for nearly 250 games in the Windy City. The potential remains, but hope for the 23-year-old to improve in Chicago has all but vanished. With two weeks until the trade deadline, we’ve identified three teams that’d make the most sense for Williams to regain his confidence and progress into a quality player.
Top landing spots for Patrick Williams
The following teams are reasonable destinations based on salary cap space, roster construction, and player development. While teams like the wing-deficient Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks were considered, it’d be difficult for both squads to acquire Williams financially.
3. Miami Heat
The Miami Heat are arguably the best franchise at developing talent. Over the years, Miami has developed second-rounders and undrafted free agents into quality role players. From Max Strus to Duncan Robinson to Gabe Vincent, the Heat have seen several once-unknown players earn significant contracts following breakout seasons in South Beach.
While Williams was nowhere near undrafted or even second-round territory, the Heat might be able to extract the talent that had the former Seminole selected fourth overall in 2020. At 6-foot-8, with above-average athleticism and a sweet-shooting stroke—the attributes are there. Williams has just been unable to put it all together in Chicago.
Miami isn’t lacking when it comes to the forward department. The Heat employ Jimmy Butler (for how much longer, we don’t know), Jamie Jaquez Jr., Haywood Highsmith, Duncan Robinson, and Nikola Jovic. Nevertheless, Williams has demonstrated the ability to suit up at both forward spots—like Highsmith and Jovic—alleviating the need to be pigeon-holed at one position or another.
Finally, the Heat are flush with resources to acquire Williams. First and foremost, Miami can easily match Williams’ $18 million salary with Robinson’s $19 million. Aside from the 30-year-old sharpshooter, the Heat could send Terry Rozier and his $24 million to Chicago in exchange for Williams.
2. San Antonio Spurs
Another team known for player development, the San Antonio Spurs, has done the most with its late first-rounders and notably rejuvenated several careers. San Antonio has developed Dejounte Murray, Derrick White, Keldon Johnson, and others into fringe and in Murray’s case, All-Stars.
Williams would be granted the opportunity to play for Gregg Popovich, one of the most well-respected coaches of all time, and suit up for a team laser-focused on the future. The Spurs have missed the playoffs five seasons in a row, but are currently flirting with a postseason appearance—sitting at 19-22 in 12th place in the Western Conference.
Although San Antonio is brimming with young talent, the small forward spot could see an overhaul. The Spurs are starting 32-year-old Harrison Barnes as a stopgap option at the three. While Keldon Johnson could easily take the reigns, San Antonio has preferred Johnson in a spark-plug, score-first role off the bench. Williams could start at small forward or come off the bench as Barnes finishes playing the remaining one and a half seasons on his contract.
Instead of awaiting Barnes’ departure, San Antonio could send the 32-year-old forward to Chicago in a swap for Williams. Furthermore, Zach Collins or Tre Jones and a combination of a younger player are all possible avenues for the Spurs to acquire Williams.
1. Washington Wizards
Last but not least, this team has nothing to lose. At 6-36, the Washington Wizards are by far the worst team in the NBA. The Wizards are in the early stages of a full-on rebuild, playing their three first-round rookies 25-plus minutes per game.
At 23-years-old, Williams fits the Wizards’ rebuilding timeline. Even though he’s a five-year pro, he’d be the squad’s eighth-youngest player, demonstrating Washington’s youth movement and Williams’ fit on an up-and-coming team.
Although the Wizards have struggled, they possess quality depth across the roster. The team from the Nation’s Capital is two-deep at nearly every position. That doesn’t mean the Florida State product would be without a role on the team. There’s a decent chance he’d start, especially if 29-year-old forward Kyle Kuzma is sent elsewhere by the trade deadline.
Speaking of Kuzma, his salary is sufficient to facilitate a swap involving Williams. Besides Kuzma (who is likely worth more than Williams at this point), Malcolm Brogdon, Richaun Holmes, and Marvin Bagley III are worthwhile candidates. The latter two players are more intriguing because the Bulls would likely be capable of snatching a second-round pick from Washington to facilitate such a trade.
