NEWSLETTER
As a team in the hunt for one of the top seeds in the East (and more than their fair share of injuries), the Chicago Bulls have been linked to trade candidate Jerami Grant multiple times over the last month.
Not only is there an obvious need at the position due to the early-season injury to 2020 No. 4-overall pick Patrick Williams, but Grant is one of the more coveted players on the market who theoretically aligns with Chicago’s sudden win-now mindset. However, one problem is that Grant’s fit on paper may not translate onto the court. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer recently reported that Grant has “little interest” in joining a franchise where he isn’t seen as a primary offensive weapon. Likewise, the versatile forward is in line for a significant pay raise as soon this offseason, one he expects to near the $112 million mark.
The other problem is that the easiest deal for Grant would likely come with Patrick Williams attached to the other end. Still just 20-years-old with extreme potential and a “mountain of trade value” the front office has to decide whether or not now is the time to part ways with their first-ever draft choice. According to Fischer, at least for now, the Bulls don’t want to sacrifice Williams (which I think is the right move), but that does not necessarily mean they have ruled out a legitimate pursuit of Grant: “The Bulls have continued exploring avenues to land Grant without sacrificing prized swingman Patrick Williams, sources said,” wrote Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.
INTERESTING.
I have to admit, I’m not sure exactly how this would work. The Bulls do have Coby White as a young player to center around a potential trade, but recent injuries to Alex Caruso and Lonzo Ball makes it feel as if White is a necessity. Not to mention, NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson did recently report that the Bulls intend to keep White past this season’s deadline.
We also can’t forget that the Pistons are rumored to have extreme interest in Williams. Not only was he named numerous times as a prospect Detroit was hoping to select in 2020, but we also recently heard a report that they might hold out in hopes that the Bulls put Williams on the table. If that’s true, it doesn’t sound like they would entertain many offers that do not include Williams.
So, yeah, I don’t really see a world where many conversations are had without Williams as the framework of a deal, but Arturas Karnisovas has surprised us before! We’ll have to continue to keep our eye on Grant’s market.
Check out Fischer’s full article on some of the latest trade rumors below …
Ever-important behind Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons trade talks, James Harden has recently told several confidants—including former teammates and coaches—of his growing interest to explore other opportunities outside of Brooklyn this summer. More at @BR_NBA: https://t.co/zy5dEwPSfP
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) January 25, 2022
