Chicago Bulls: 4 cautiously optimistic predictions for 2020-2021 season

1. Patrick Williams takes job, Otto Porter Jr. traded

Call it optimism or wishful thinking, but if the Bulls can find a way to trade Otto Porter Jr. this year, for pretty much anything, that’s a huge win. Porter’s $28 million salary coming off the books next summer will open up some spending room for the Bulls, but if they can move on earlier than that, they’d be in good shape.

The Bulls probably wouldn’t net much more than a role player and/or a second-round pick due to the contract, but it would be better than nothing at all. Plus, it gives the rookie a chance to really shine.

Patrick Williams was thrown into the starting lineup for the third and fourth preseason games and looked good with that unit. The long, athletic forward seems to be a better fit in the starting lineup than Porter, and it’s mostly because he fits exactly what the Bulls had been missing in that group.

Williams’ focus on defense, crashing the boards and making calculated decisions is a nice breath of fresh air for the Bulls’ starting five. Guys like Zach LaVine and Coby White are a blast, and play quick, so having a player like Williams for contrast is a positive.

Those five will potentially be the starting five of the future for these Bulls, should they decide to extend Lauri Markkanen, of course.