When you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, the only option left is to find a way to wiggle out. For the Chicago Bulls, that rock-and-a-hard-place feeling has lasted nearly a decade, ever since the departures of franchise cornerstones Derrick Rose snd Jimmy Butler.

The Bulls have been trapped in NBA purgatory: not bad enough to fully rebuild, not good enough to seriously contend. The question is simple but uncomfortable, how do you escape the middle? To be honest, I don’t have a perfect answer. But I do have an idea that would finally give this franchise something it desperately needs: direction.

That idea? The Chicago Bulls should trade for Zion Williamson.

This move could launch the Bulls into the upper tier of the Eastern Conference or send them straight into the sewer. And at this point, as a fan, I’m perfectly fine with either outcome. What I’m not fine with is standing still.

My Hottest Take: Time to Take a Risk on an Injury-Prone Superstar

There’s no sugarcoating it Williamson is one of the riskiest assets in the NBA.

His tenure in New Orleans has been rocky at best. Zion has played in roughly 46% of his possible NBA games, including missing the entire 2021–22 season with a fractured fifth metatarsal. His injury history is alarming, and any team trading for him must fully accept that risk.

But here’s the other side of the coin: when Zion Williamson is on the floor, he is exactly the type of impact player the Bulls have been chasing for years. For his career, Zion averages nearly 25 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game, while shooting an absurd 59% from the field. His athleticism, yes the same athleticism that captivated the country in high school and at Duke. Still flashes every time he plays.

Injuries and a small-market spotlight have dulled his star power, but the talent is undeniable. The Bulls don’t have a player who bends defenses the way Zion does. They haven’t had one in a very long time.

A trio of Zion Williamson, Josh Giddey, and Matas Buzelis gives Chicago an offensive ceiling they simply haven’t had in years. If it works, the Bulls become a legitimate playoff force. If it fails, the team lands where it probably needs to be anyway, near the top of the draft. Either way, the direction becomes clear.

What You Need to Know: The Contract Makes This Risk More Manageable

Zion is currently in the middle of a five-year, $193 million extension, set to expire in 2028. On the surface, that number is terrifying, especially for a franchise historically cautious with spending. However, this deal comes with critical protections. Due to missed games, Zion’s contract is no longer fully guaranteed. His future earnings are tied directly to availability and conditioning benchmarks:

• 20% guaranteed if he passes all six weigh-ins in a season

• 40% guaranteed if he plays 41+ games+

• 20% if he plays 51+ games+

• 20% if he plays 61+ games+

Additionally, Zion must remain under 295 pounds combined weight and body-fat percentage. For a Bulls front office that prefers financial flexibility, this structure significantly reduces long-term risk. If Zion doesn’t play, the Bulls aren’t locked into paying the full max value. If he does play, they’re paying for a legitimate superstar.

That’s a gamble worth considering.

Before You Go: The Pelicans Might Be Ready to Move On

This idea only works if New Orleans is ready to turn the page and all signs suggest they might be. The Pelicans appear to be shifting toward a younger timeline, prioritizing the development of rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. Both have shown promise, and the organization seems increasingly comfortable letting them learn through growing pains.

Zion complicates that process. When he plays, the Pelicans win but his availability is unpredictable. That inconsistency doesn’t align with a youth-driven rebuild. New Orleans would rather lose games while developing Fears and Queen than rely on an unreliable star to prop up the standings. That’s where the Bulls’ leverage comes in.

Proposed Trade Framework:

Bulls Receive:

• Zion Williamson

Pelicans Receive:

• Nikola Vučević

• Isaac Okoro

• Jevon Carter

• Unprotected 2032 first-round pick

Why It Works for New Orleans: This gives the Pelicans flexibility to either add veteran leadership around their young core or fully commit to a clean rebuild. There are real benefits to the return too: Nearly $28 million in expiring money (Vučević and Carter) comes off the books, Okoro provides a defensive wing on a manageable contract (or future trade filler) and Zion’s long-term money is removed from the cap sheet. Plus, an unprotected future first-round pick adds real upside especially if Zion's unavailable.

Why It Works for Chicago: The Bulls finally get their best player since Jimmy Butler.

Standing still is still the worst option; this franchise cannot continue to exist in the middle. The Bulls need to be top-four in the East or top-three in the draft, nothing else matters. Zion Williamson represents volatility, risk, and uncertainty. But he also represents hope, upside, and a clear fork in the road. At this stage, the worst move the Bulls can make is no move at all. This is their chance to strike.