As the NBA Trade Deadline looms on February 5, the rumor mill is heating up with intriguing developments between the Chicago Bulls and the New Orleans Pelicans. At the center of these discussions are star forward Zion Williamson and promising center Yves Missi, with talks intensifying amid both teams’ roster evaluations. According to recent reports, the Bulls are exploring options to bolster their lineup, but a blockbuster deal remains far from certain.
This week, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times shed light on the ongoing negotiations, revealing that Bulls executive Artūras Karnišovas is deeply involved. While Williamson’s name has generated the most buzz, sources indicate a higher likelihood of Chicago acquiring Missi instead. However, the Pelicans are hesitant to part with the young center, and the Bulls are equally reluctant to overhaul their core or surrender valuable draft assets.
“Yes, Missi has lost minutes from his rookie season, going from 26.8 per game last season to 18.6 now, but he’s still a solid rim runner with the potential to be an elite rim protector,” Cowley wrote. “In other words, the Pelicans are willing to trade him, but they’re not going to give him away. So getting a deal done would be tricky, especially because the Bulls aren’t looking to give away draft assets in a trade.”
Missi’s reduced role this season hasn’t diminished his upside. The 21-year-old, selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft, brings athleticism and defensive potential that could address Chicago’s frontcourt needs. Yet, New Orleans views him as a key piece in their long-term plans, particularly after parting ways with an unprotected first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks in a previous deal. This move has left the Pelicans scrambling to rebuild their asset pool, making them cautious in negotiations.
On the Williamson front, the situation is even more complex. The former No. 1 overall pick has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, limiting his availability and raising concerns about his long-term durability. Currently averaging 22.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, Williamson’s production is solid but falls short of the superstar expectations set upon his entry into the league. For the Bulls, acquiring him would represent a high-risk, high-reward gamble—a classic “buy-low” opportunity.
Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints echoed this sentiment, noting Williamson as an ideal target for a team like Chicago. “I’ve heard that there’s been some smoke there about Chicago scouting New Orleans in recent weeks, and Zion would be the ideal buy-low candidate for a team like the Bulls, who have a lot of expiring contracts,” Siegel said. The Bulls’ roster flexibility is a key factor here, with several players—Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Nikola Vučević, Patrick Williams, and Jalen Smith—set to hit unrestricted free agency at season’s end. This could allow Chicago to package expiring deals in a trade without gutting their future.
Despite the intrigue, Williamson’s injury history makes a move to the Windy City unlikely. The Pelicans, meanwhile, are focused on maximizing returns to offset their recent asset losses. If a deal materializes, it might center on Missi as the more feasible option, potentially involving mid-level assets or players from Chicago’s bench.
As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Karnišovas and Pelicans GM David Griffin. Will the Bulls pull off a surprise acquisition to jumpstart their rebuild, or will these talks fizzle out like so many before? Stay tuned—NBA trade season is just getting started.