After this past season, it became clear that the Chicago Bulls, as currently constructed, aren’t a championship contender. And with their loss in the Play-In Tournament to the Miami Heat, they showed that they aren’t a lock to make the playoffs either. In fact, since pushing their chips on the table two years ago, the Bulls have only won a single playoff game.
In turn, some fans urged the Bulls to reset the roster this summer, but Arturas Karnisovas seems to have no interest in a rebuild. And if that’s his plan, then the Bulls need to make more additions than just Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig, who, while solid players, don’t move the needle enough.
A trade proposal suggested by Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report would help them do just that.
Mock trade sees Bulls flip Patrick Williams for starting point guard: The trade
Here’s the full outline of the mock trade proposed by Swartz:
Bulls receive: Tyus Jones, Corey Kispert
Wizards receive: Patrick Williams, Dalen Terry, 2026 Second-round pick
Mock trade sees Bulls flip Patrick Williams for starting point guard: Swartz’s reasoning
Here is why Swartz believes the Bulls should make this deal:
“The Bulls looked like one of the best teams in the East the last time Lonzo Ball played, yet the veteran point guard is likely to miss another full season due to knee surgery,” Swartz wrote. “Chicago helped cover for his absence with the signing of Jevon Carter, but he’s more of a rotation piece instead of a full-time starter.
“Jones was previously dealt this offseason to Washington in a three-team deal that landed Marcus Smart with the Memphis Grizzlies and Kristaps Porziņģis in Boston with the Celtics. The 27-year-old would be wasted with the rebuilding Wizards, however, and could make a real difference in Chicago’s overall success as their new starting floor general.
Jones averaged 16.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.8 steals in his 22 starts with the Grizzlies last season, all while putting up efficient 50.0/41.5/77.8 percent shooting splits. Kispert was one of the NBA’s best three-point shooters (42.4 percent, 2.2 makes per game), bringing some much-needed outside shooting to a Bulls team that ranked dead last in made threes per night (10.4).
“A starting lineup with Jones, Zach LaVine, Kispert, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vučević could make some noise in the East, especially with Alex Caruso, Andre Drummond, Torrey Craig, Coby White and Carter off the bench.”
Mock trade sees Bulls flip Patrick Williams for starting point guard: Should the Bulls make this trade?
This is a tough one. Giving up Patrick Williams would be a huge gamble for the Bulls, as he is far and away the best young player on their roster.
That being said, this deal would absolutely make them better and could push them into playoff consideration.
Tyus Jones is a great point guard and would be the perfect guy to run the offense in Chicago, setting up the likes of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan.
The value of Corey Kispert can’t be understated, either. He’s a solid defender and would immediately become one of the best three-point shooters on the Bulls’ roster.
Chicago could roll out a starting lineup of Jones, LaVine, DeRozan, Craig, and Nikola Vucevic, with Kispert, Coby White, Jevon Carter, Andre Drummond, and Julian Phillips off the bench.
They should be rightfully hesitant to trade Williams, but if this deal were plopped in front of them, they would have to at least consider it.
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Story originally appeared on Lonzo Wire