Bulls And Pelicans Intensify Zion Williamson Trade Talks

The NBA rumor mill is heating up as the Chicago Bulls and New Orleans Pelicans reportedly engage in serious trade talks centered around star forward Zion Williamson and promising young center Yves Missi. With the February 5, 2026, NBA Trade Deadline looming, both franchises find themselves at pivotal crossroads—each facing the pressure to reshape their rosters and redefine their competitive trajectories. Bulls fans, who have grown restless with the team’s middling results, are watching closely as the front office explores bold moves that could finally spark a new era in Chicago basketball.

Sitting at 21-22 and holding the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference, the Bulls have become all too familiar with life around the .500 mark. The threat of another Play-In Tournament disappointment looms, leaving many in Chicago yearning for meaningful progress. Bulls VP of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas appears to be feeling the urgency, as reports confirm he has entered ongoing discussions with the Pelicans about acquiring either Williamson or Missi. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, “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.”

The intrigue surrounding Zion Williamson is undeniable. Once hailed as a generational talent after being selected No. 1 overall, Williamson’s NBA journey has been a rollercoaster of jaw-dropping highlights and frustrating injuries. This season, he’s played in 29 of the Pelicans’ 45 games, leading the team with an impressive 22.5 points per game on a scorching 58.5% shooting from the field. But it’s not just his scoring—Williamson is also averaging 5.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds per game, showcasing his well-rounded offensive arsenal.

Despite his production, Williamson’s tenure in New Orleans has been clouded by health concerns. His contract, which pays him over $39 million this season and escalates to approximately $42 million next year and $44 million the following season, contains strict health and weight clauses to protect both the Pelicans and any potential suitor. Yet, there’s a silver lining: Williamson has managed to stay relatively healthy this year, suiting up for 19 consecutive games—the longest streak he’s managed since the 2022-2023 campaign. That resilience, paired with his undeniable talent, makes him an enticing “buy-low” candidate for a Bulls team desperate to shake off its recent stagnation.

“Keep a close eye on them possibly pursuing Zion Williamson of the Pelicans. I’ve heard that there has been some smoke there about Chicago scouting the Pelicans 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,” noted Brett Siegel on the Clutch Scoops show, further fueling speculation about Chicago’s intentions.

However, acquiring Williamson would not come cheap. With his massive salary, the Bulls would have to package together a significant haul—potentially including Nikola Vucevic and other players—to match the financial requirements. The Pelicans, for their part, are reportedly seeking expiring contracts and draft capital, aiming to free up future cap space and accelerate their rebuild around rookie sensations Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen. As of January 21, 2026, the Pelicans own the NBA’s worst record at 10-35, a stark indicator that a roster overhaul is not only likely but necessary.

It’s not just Williamson on the Bulls’ radar. Yves Missi, a second-year center for New Orleans, is an appealing alternative for Chicago’s front office. Averaging 5.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game, Missi has quietly emerged as a defensive force. Per advanced metrics from Cleaning The Glass, the Pelicans are nearly six points per possession better defensively with Missi on the court. At just $3.5 million per season and under team control through 2027-28, Missi represents a cost-effective, high-upside option—especially for a Bulls squad keen to avoid the luxury tax while maintaining roster flexibility.

Missi’s shot-blocking instincts and rim protection could address one of Chicago’s most glaring needs. While his offensive game is still developing—he struggles to finish consistently at the rim—there’s optimism that playing alongside an elite playmaker like Josh Giddey could unlock new dimensions in Missi’s game. The Bulls envision Missi as a long-term anchor for their defense, a player who can grow with their core and provide the kind of interior presence that has eluded them in recent years.

For New Orleans, the calculus is shifting rapidly. Once reluctant to part with Williamson, the Pelicans are now reportedly open to fielding offers, recognizing that a fresh start built around their promising rookies might be the best path forward. The potential return—expiring contracts and draft picks—would give the franchise the flexibility to retool and rise from the Western Conference basement. Trey Murphy III, along with Fears and Queen, are seen as foundational pieces for the Pelicans’ future, making the prospect of a Williamson trade more palatable for the New Orleans faithful.

As the trade deadline approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams. The Bulls are eager to pair Williamson’s dynamic scoring and playmaking with Giddey’s versatility, hoping to vault themselves into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. For the Pelicans, the chance to reset their roster and build around a youthful core is a tempting proposition, especially given the team’s struggles this season.

Trade negotiations are rarely straightforward, and there’s no guarantee that a deal will be finalized before the deadline. But the ongoing dialogue between Chicago and New Orleans signals a willingness on both sides to make bold moves. “It’s just something to keep an eye on. I think there is a little bit of smoke there, and we’ll see where this goes,” Siegel remarked, capturing the sense of anticipation swirling around these high-profile talks.

With the NBA landscape shifting and the clock ticking toward February 5, all eyes are on the Bulls and Pelicans. Will Chicago finally make the splash its fans crave? Can New Orleans extract the assets needed to accelerate its rebuild? The coming days promise plenty of drama, speculation, and—if the rumors hold true—a seismic shakeup that could alter the futures of both franchises.

For now, the trade winds continue to swirl, and the fate of Zion Williamson, Yves Missi, and two ambitious teams hangs in the balance as the NBA world waits for the next move.