Patrick Williams hopes to stay with the Chicago Bulls beyond this season

The Chicago Bulls’ season received another massive blow on Friday with the announcement of Patrick Williams’ season-ending foot surgery. The development not only dented the Bulls’ hopes of reaching the postseason, but it also changed Williams’ plan of scoring a substantially better payday this offseason when he becomes a restricted free agent.

On Saturday, the former Florida State star shared his feelings about his upcoming foot surgery and desire to remain a Bull this offseason.

Not an easy pill to swallow

For weeks now, Williams had worked hard to return to the floor. With a timeline in place, the versatile forward had a target date in mind and was making good progress towards being available for the final stretch of the season. But unfortunately, his foot injury proved to be more serious than initially thought, and surgery became the only option.

The news undoubtedly came as a huge disappointment to Williams.

“It’s a lot at one time to go from thinking you are ramping up to play on Tuesday to a couple of days later having to have surgery. Not easy at all,” Williams said.

“That night they called me and let me know they kind of saw a line in the navicular bone, which kind of meant it was a fracture there. For me, it was kind of frustrating because I think I’m kind of ramping up and shooting at a date the end of this month to come back. And when you hear (season-ending surgery), it is kind of devastating,” he continued.

Injury Update: Patrick Williams, who has been sidelined since Jan 25 with initial bone edema in his left foot, recently underwent routine subsequent imaging revealing the progression of his foot stress reaction.

He will undergo surgery and be out for the remainder of the season.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 23, 2024

Would love to remain a Bull

Williams has been sidelined since January 25 due to acute bone edema in his left foot. However, despite the lengthy rest and rehabilitation, the injury showed little healing, leading the medical staff to recommend surgery sooner rather than later to give Williams ample time to prepare for next season—one he hopes to spend in a Bulls uniform.

“I would love to continue to be a Bull. I love it here. I think I could really be a cornerstone piece for this team. But you never know what the future holds, and I understand it’s a business,” Williams shared.

“For now, worry about the surgery and getting back playing, and let the chips fall where they may.”

Patrick Williams said he was ramping up to play by end of month when testing showed fracture. His surgery is in New York and scheduled for March 6 as of now and he’s expecting to be back doing on-court work in July.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 24, 2024

Not an easy pill to swallow

Would love to remain a Bull

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