Starting about two weeks ago, names started being attached to all of the swirling Chicago Bulls trade rumors. One of the biggest names and most reasonable targets was Zion Williamson. The New Orleans Pelicans are tied for the worst record in the NBA, and Williamson’s future with the organization is under extensive consideration. His contract is lucrative, his fit with the emerging young talent is questionable, and consistent injuries have led New Orleans to decide it wants to move on. Can he and the Chicago Bulls benefit from a fresh start? Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times adds more context and details surrounding the rumors.
Expect Yves Missi, Hope For Zion
According to Cowley, the Pelicans are far more willing to deal their second-year center Yves Missi. At just 21 years old, he brings athleticism and rim protection that Chicago sorely lacks. With Derik Queen quickly proving to be the big man of the future in New Orleans, they’ve become willing to send Missi elsewhere. In an ideal world, the Bulls would snag both him and Williamson, while dumping their expiring contracts to a destination that needs the freed cap room in a few months, and both sides would benefit from a shake-up. Cowley notes that it’s not that simple, as the Pelicans are desiring future draft capital, a group of assets Chicago should be unwilling to part ways with.
The Bulls have had trade talks centered around Zion Williamson 👀
“The Sun-Times confirmed a report that the Bulls have had ongoing talks with the Pelicans about players such as forward Zion Williamson and center Yves Missi. While the chatter around Williamson has quieted on… pic.twitter.com/tOlpxLf6Ri
— CourtSideHeat (@CourtSideHeat) January 21, 2026
This Is The Deal
If Arturas Karnisovas can pull off one of the best trades of his tenure with the Bulls, here’s what it would look like.
New Orleans Receives: Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, Jevon Carter, 2028 Second-Round Pick
Chicago Bulls Receives: Zion Williamson, Yves Missi
This deal would help the Bulls unload White, Vucevic, and Carter’s expiring contracts while giving up minimal future assets. It would also give New Orleans a chance to sign White long-term and add him to a growing young core moving forward. Williamson would instantly become Chicago’s most popular player, and with his complicated and incentive-based contract, the risk is not as high as many think. Missi would be a perfect fit for adding young, untapped potential talent.
In regard to a potential trade with the Pelicans, “there has been momentum around Missi,” per @JCowleyHoops.
The Bulls have a plethora of expiring contracts on the trade block that could lead to a deal getting done. Missi could bring rim protection and more youth in the… pic.twitter.com/nzXuvBUuOz
— SleeperBulls (@SleeperChicago) January 21, 2026
Knowing Karnisovas’s trade deadline history, and that Williamson’s price tag will likely grow as the cutoff nears, Missi is the target, and his counterpart is the dream. The most expected outcome would be a small deal for the 21 year old center, that sees Chicago unload an expiring contract or a low-grade future draft pick.
