NBA Insider lists 23-year-old forward as potential trade candidate

Trade rumors have marred the Chicago Bulls for the better part of two years. From DeMar DeRozan, who was dealt in July, to Zach LaVine, who remains on the roster, much of the team has resided on the trade block. However, not every Bulls player has heard his name in trade talks. That is until Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer mentioned Patrick Williams as a potential trade candidate in his daily "NBA Insider Notebook."

Upon discussing the Golden State Warriors, Fischer delved into replacements for De'Anthony Melton. Melton was recently diagnosed with a partially torn ACL thus, season-ending surgery was required. Golden State had signed Melton to a one-year, 12.8 million contract with the Warriors in the offseason anticipating the 6-foot-3 guard to be a valuable perimeter defender next to Stephen Curry.

Unfortunately for Golden State, Melton went down with an injury just 14 games into the Warriors' season. Subsequently, the Warriors are reportedly scouring the trade market for additional help on the wing. Fischer stated that Golden State is interested in adding a two-way wing to pair with Andrew Wiggins.

Bleacher Report's Jake Fischer lists Patrick Williams as a potential trade candidate

Fischer went on to say that the "[Bulls] are more willing than ever to discuss [Patrick Williams] in a trade." He alluded to Williams' untapped potential and relatively inexpensive salary as the reasoning behind a future inclusion on the trade block.

Later, Fischer mentioned that Williams isn't on the Warriors' wishlist, and he was instead a fascinating name, which the NBA Insider believes to be an attainable trade piece. Fisher doubled down on the 6-foot-8 forward's intriguing value, saying, "he has lottery-pick upside…and has never truly tapped into that potential."

What the NBA Insider said about Williams is undoubtedly correct. The 23-year-old forward has averaged just 9.7 points per game over the course of his career. He's shot the ball well from the floor (46.2 percent from the floor, 40.9 percent from three, and 78.5 percent from the free throw line), but he's lacked assertiveness. Williams has never averaged nine or more field goal attempts per game in any season of his career.

Furthermore, the former fourth-overall pick has struggled to stay healthy. Williams averaged about 53 appearances per season over his first four years in the league. Just a month into this season, Williams has already received troubling news regarding his surgically repaired left foot—forcing him to miss at least a week of action.

There's no telling if Chicago will trade Williams; the front office has held onto LaVine and Nikola Vucevic for much longer than anticipated. Nonetheless, as Fischer pointed out, the 23-year-old forward remains a valuable asset due to his youth, contract, and considerable upside.

If the Bulls were to hypothetically trade Williams for the injured Melton, they would likely receive numerous draft picks and a salary to match Williams' $18 million contract. Including Kevon Looney and a first-rounder may be enough for Chicago to bite.