The Chicago Bulls are in limbo. With a roster of somewhat talented players but no true superstar to lead them, they are a perennial play-in team with little to no aspirations of a deep playoff run. It may be time for the team to move in a new direction, shedding salary and positioning themselves for a major trade that could shake up their franchise's fortunes.
Forward Patrick Williams, Chicago's No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, comes to mind as a player that the Bulls could use as a trade chip. With a $90 million contract on the books and little production to back up that price tag, Chicago should try to do everything in their power to recoup assets for their former lottery pick.
Enter the Toronto Raptors, a team with a similar conundrum to the Bulls. They have a handful of bloated contracts on their payroll, but the difference is that they have much younger, desirable players who certainly have the potential to turn into stars, such as Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, and RJ Barrett. Headlining the group is All-Star Brandon Ingram, who Toronto acquired midseason last year from the New Orleans Pelicans.
Williams, who will be 24 at the start of the 2025-2026 NBA season, fits in nicely with their timeline of youngsters who have a shot to develop into something special but just need a little more seasoning.
Fansided recently [proposed a trade idea](https://pippenainteasy.com/conference-foe-makes-for-ideal-trade-partner-take-forward-off-bulls-hands) that would have Chicago and Toronto swap young forwards, giving each player a change of scenery that could benefit their careers.
"The Bulls could have a potential trade partner in the Toronto Raptors, a team that would help solve the Bulls' Williams problem while solving issues of their own. Mocked by [Sports Illustrated,](https://www.si.com/onsi/fantasy/nba/nba-mock-trade-raptors-deal-rj-barrett-chicago-bulls-patrick-williams) the Bulls would trade Williams, Jevon Carter, and a first-round draft pick for RJ Barrett."
While Chicago would be attaching a first-round pick to deal Williams, it would be worth it for a player like Barrett, who has flashed more as a potential All-Star than Williams has and is only two years older.
"Entering his seventh season, Barrett has steadily improved over time. In his first full season with the Raptors following his trade from the New York Knicks, Barrett averaged 21.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.4 assists per game on splits of 46 percent from the field and 35 percent from three. Barrett has shown All-Star potential and would fit alongside the timeline of the Bulls' rebuild at only 25 years old."
This trade idea would make sense for both Eastern Conference teams and would provide a fresh start for two young players who could use it.