Rival execs "quietly monitoring" Bulls' Patrick Williams trade availability

Pat is set to become a restricted free agent this summer.

While all of the trade rumblings around the Chicago Bulls this season are circulating in Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Alex Caruso, it appears that Patrick Williams’ name is now in the mix.

With the Feb. 8 trade deadline just a few days away, sources told HoopsHype's Mike Scotto that rival executives are ”quietly monitoring” the regard of the Bulls toward the trade availability of Pat, considering that they weren't able to come up with a rookie contract extension.

“Other rival executives are quietly monitoring the availability of former No. 4 overall pick Patrick Williams ahead of the deadline, given he failed to sign an extension with Chicago.”

The Paw’s 2023-24 season background

This 2023-24 season has been full of ups and downs for Patrick Williams. After a poor season start, Pat showed a significant improvement as he emerged as one of the team's important players in their December turnaround. 

But as he is finally trending upward to maintain his poise and aggressiveness, he sustained injuries to his right ankle and left foot throughout January. Now he is in the team's recovery chamber with an acute bone edema in his left foot.

Williams played for 43 games in which he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 boards, and 1.5 assists for 27.3 minutes of play. His current season numbers are slight replications of what he also tallied from 2022-23.

Pat with authority! pic.twitter.com/ErqneLrQRj

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 19, 2024

The ball is in the hands of the Bulls

Williams' lack of development progress and health issues have been considerable factors in why he wasn't able to reach an extension with the Bulls. Apparently, this might be the case once again should the organization weigh the possibility of parting ways with him as the trade deadline approaches.

Williams has been one of the Bulls’ young core pieces. Boasting a versatile tenacity and defensive promise, he established himself as a crucial unit for Billy Donovan. But as it is, there remains a possibility that a split-up may take place which can only be fortified should his injury struggles and growth prolong.

If ever Williams becomes safe from any transaction before the trade deadline, he'll then become a restricted free agent in this year's summer. The Bulls still have the advantage to either retain him or ship him away via sign-and-trade deals.

Chicago Bulls reportedly insist Coby White is off-limits in any trade talks