Source: Bulls will try to trade Nikola Vucevic, Patrick Williams this season

The Chicago Bulls will try to trade Nikola Vucevic and Patrick Williams this season, a source told Ahn Fire Digital.

Vucevic will make $21.5 million this season in the final year of his contract. The Golden State Warriors were interested in trading for the veteran last season, but the Bulls were asking for too much, so the Warriors pivoted to Jimmy Butler, acquiring the All-Star swingman from the Miami Heat.

Meanwhile, Williams will make $18 million this season. He was the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft and has been a massive disappointment in Chicago. The forward has career averages of just 9.6 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Neither Vucevic nor Williams has much trade value right now, the source said.

If the Bulls don’t trade Vucevic, they run the risk of losing the USC product for nothing next offseason when he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Vucevic, who turns 35 on Oct. 24, has career averages of 17.2 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game with the Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic and Bulls. He’s better suited to play for a contender at this stage of his career.

Chicago is nowhere near close to competing right now. The franchise is just 3-8 in the playoffs since trading 2011 MVP Derrick Rose to the New York Knicks in 2016.

The Bulls traded Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves on draft night in 2017. They made the playoffs in 2022 but lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round in five quick games.

The Bulls are building around Coby White, Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis. Giddey signed a four-year, $100 million contract in September to end his restricted free agency. White becomes an unrestricted free agent next offseason. All signs point toward the UNC product and Chicago agreeing to a new contract once free agency starts in 2026.

It will be fascinating to see if the Bulls trade Vucevic and/or Williams. The 2026 NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5.