Chicago Bulls being linked to former No. 1 overall pick, again

The Chicago Bulls are in familiar territory with a 17-20 record and currently the No. 10 team in the Eastern Conference right now.

That means if the season ended, the Bulls would once again be in the play-in game. That’s a spot we are used to seeing them in over the past few years and it looks like they are headed there again.

While Chicago hasn’t been able to rebuild, the 2026 NBA Draft is a great chance to do so. However, they will likely be out of the top 8 in the lottery and could turn to the trade deadline for some acquisitions.

And they are being connected to a former No. 1 overall pick.

Chicago Bulls being linked to Zion Williamson

While the trade deadline is still weeks away, rumors are starting to fly. The latest connects the Bulls to former No. 1 overall pick and Duke star Zion Williamson.

Brett Siegel of Clutch Points mentioned the Bulls and Williamson:

“I’ve heard that there’s been some smoke there about Chicago scouting New Orleans in recent weeks,” said Siegel. “Zion would be the ideal buy-low candidate for a team like the Bulls, who have a lot of expiring contracts.”

This isn’t the first time the Bulls and Williamson have been connected in trade rumors. But does it make sense? At 8-31 on the year, the New Orleans Pelicans are dead last in the west and they don’t have a first-round pick in the draft. So moving players for assets makes sense for them.

For the Bulls, taking a chance on the 25-year-old Williamson could be risky. He has an injury history but is still averaging 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season. Chicago could look to move a piece like Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter or even Coby White in a deal.

Pelicans likely not trading Zion Williamson

Hours after that report from Siegel came out, there was some water poured on the Williamson fire. NBA reporter Chris Haynes took to Twitter on Friday to state that the Pelicans are telling teams Williamson among others will remain with the team.

Sources: New Orleans Pelicans are disappointing the market in informing teams that Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Derik Queen and Jeremiah Fears will remain with the organization past Feb. 5 trade deadline.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 9, 2026

In addition to Williamson, the Pelicans have no interest in trading Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, or Derik Queen. Instead, they hope to continue building around them.

Now, things can certainly change in the coming weeks. And with them being dead last in the west, maybe it will help change their minds. It’s certainly something to monitor moving forward.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-bulls-being-linked-to-zion-williamson