The Chicago Bulls acquired the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and it should mark the end of Patrick Williams' time with the franchise. Chicago will likely get Caleb Wilson, who fits beautifully with what Bryson Graham is trying to build. He is another forward to pair with Matas Buzelis. With those two in place, Chicago doesn’t want to be paying $18 million per year for a bench player.
Williams was the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He started as a rookie and showed enough to earn a second contract. Sadly, things have gone south since. The 6’6 wing averaged a career low 7.0 points and 20.5 minutes per game this season as he shot 37.2 percent from the field and 34.7 percent on his 3-point attempts.
The Bulls are clearly rebuilding. They got two gifts in this draft to select fourth and 15th overall. Those will be building blocks in Chicago. They will have a new front office and a new coach. It is time to get rid of old baggage like Williams’ inflated contract.
Patrick Williams is on the chopping block after the Bulls moved up
Chicago will be choosing between Wilson and Cameron Boozer with the fourth pick. Both are best at power forward, which is the same position as Williams. The Bulls played Jalen Smith more per game minutes this season, and he’s making half of what the former fourth overall pick earns. It is time for Chicago to find a way out of this situation.
Williams is under contract through a 2029 player option that he is all but certain to accept. He makes $18 million per year and will be difficult to dump. The Bulls are just starting a rebuild, but they should look for creative ways to send him packing. They won’t have minutes and want to give opportunities to young talents.
Chicago knows what Williams is at this point. He simply doesn’t fit with what the franchise is building. They are about to draft their second building block forward. Chicago has other areas of need to fill and could use the roster spot. The Bulls are better off taking a gamble on a talented player with upside over keeping Williams on the books.
Bulls fans cannot forget Noa Essengue. The rookie played just six NBA minutes before needing season-ending shoulder surgery, but Chicago hopes he is ready to play some at forward next season. The 19-year-old should play over Williams, which only further complicates the rotation.
The Chicago Bulls don’t have room for Pat Williams. The fourth overall draft pick in 2020 has produced a negative value over replacement player (VORP) for three straight years and is coming off the worst mark of his career. Williams shouldn’t be in the rotation if they are rebuilding or contending. The Bulls must move on. It could mean taking drastic measures given his contract, but the partnership has run its course.
Bulls fans should be excited. They are about to draft a future star at four and will get a second impact rookie just outside the lottery. Adding talent always means letting players go. This time, it just happens to be a massive draft miss on a problematic contract. It won’t be easy, but it is time.
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