It is what it is at this point. The Chicago Bulls are stuck with Patrick Williams and his albatross contract. A year ago, reasons unbeknownst to all, Artūras Karnišovas decided to hand the stagnating forward a five-year, $90 million contract.

The Bulls seemingly bid against themselves, throwing $90 million at the restricted free agent. Instead of playing the waiting game, allowing a rival squad to make an offer, the Bulls signed Williams to a five-year pact on the first day of free agency.

Early returns have been putrid. Williams averaged career lows across the board and only appeared in 63 games. Much can be made of the 23-year-old’s exorbitant contract, and it certainly has. About every month or so, Chicago’s decision to re-sign the underperforming forward to a long-term deal is heavily ridiculed. Yet, as mentioned at the beginning of the article, it is what it is. Hindsight is 20/20, Williams is here to stay.

The Bulls need to do what it takes to rid themselves of Williams’ contract

Unless the Bulls can pull off a miraculous trade. It’s easier said than done, but it’s possible. Williams is no world-beater; he has yet to solidify his offensive role, and his defense is much better in theory than in reality. On a positive note, Williams is only 23, and his lack of production may still be more of a Bulls’ problem. While the glimmer of hope was once a ray of hope, a glimmer is a glimmer, thus making Williams a moderately appealing trade candidate.

Furthermore, Williams’ $90 million isn’t that bad. Sure, he’s nowhere near worth $18 million per annum, but his price point is only $4 million more than the mid-level non-taxpayer exception. And, in the last season of his contract, his price point will fall below the mid-level non-taxpayer exception. The lone logical part of Williams’ contract was the flat rate, which he’s paid over the course of the deal.

Therefore, he might be easier to trade than expected. And the time to trade him is now, while there’s still some hope he turns into a reliable contributor. The signs are there, and have been. Williams is a career 39.2 percent three-point marksman and averages 1.5 “stocks” per game over five seasons. If the Bulls can leverage Williams’ physical gifts and seemingly decent floor, his contract could be dispensable.

However, jettisoning Williams for an asset is out of the question. For what it’s worth, Chicago traded a player averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.2 three-pointers for three marginal role players and a first-round draft pick that was originally their own. Yes, Williams is younger than the aforementioned Zach LaVine, but that’s about it. The Bulls have notably been much better with Williams off the court for four of his five seasons in the association. LaVine was at least a positive in three of eight-and-a-half seasons in the Windy City.

Still, finding a suitor for Williams won’t be the easiest problem to solve, but it is doable. In recent seasons, rebuilding teams have notoriously taken on bloated contracts to acquire draft compensation. Chicago is nowhere near draft capital-rich, but tacking on a future first-rounder or, optimally, multiple second-rounders, is in play. Think the Brooklyn Nets acquiring D’Angelo Russell and De’Anthony Melton this past season. The Nets received five second-round picks in the coordination of the two trades.

The search may take some time, and if a suitor isn’t identified this offseason, the Bulls better hope Williams plays well to begin 2025-26. If a trade doesn’t materialize soon, Chicago could be stuck with the 23-year-old forward for years to come, especially if his statistics continue to trend downward.