The Chicago Bulls’ upcoming offseason poses more questions than answers, especially regarding their personnel.
Star wingman DeMar DeRozan and reliable big man Andre Drummond are unrestricted free agents, while young forward Patrick Williams is a restricted free agent who is looking to secure his future a hefty contract, whether in the Windy City or somewhere else.
While the statuses of both Deebo and Drummond are up in the air, the Bulls’ front office must decide whether to bring back Williams for another season.
Is Williams worth it?
By now, it’s safe to say that Williams has not been the player the Bulls envisioned him to become when they selected him fourth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft—well ahead of current NBA All-Stars Tyrese Maxey and Tyrese Haliburton. While the former Florida State star has shown flashes of two-way brilliance, that’s all there’s been so far: flashes. Inconsistent play and subpar rebounding have plagued Williams in his first four years in the league.
“You’d think four years and 175 starts would be enough time for the Chicago Bulls to determine whether Patrick Williams is worth keeping around on a second contract, but the outlook for the No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft has never been murkier,” Grant Hughes wrote.
“Williams is out for the year following foot surgery, capping his season at 43 games. He also lost all but 17 contests to injury in 2021-22, further complicating the evaluation process.”
Which direction will the Bulls take?
On one hand, the Bulls can let the market dictate Williams’ value and see if they’re willing to match that figure. On the other hand, Chicago doesn’t have a forward who can replace Williams’ best assets: defense, spot-up shooting, and athleticism.
“Williams has shown flashes of excellent defense, and he’s a 41.0 percent shooter from deep on low volume. Are those skills enough to offset the total zeroes he brings as a rebounder and passer? Can the Bulls find anyone else internally who projects as a replacement if Williams leaves in restricted free agency? Will another team even make him a decent offer given his track record and health history?” Hughes continued.
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