Bulls Star Shares Honest Statement Amid Disappointing Season

Chicago Bulls star Patrick Williams shares honest statement amid disappointing season with team

Jan 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN:Toronto Raptors guard Ochai Agbaji (30) drives to the basket as Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) tries to block during the fourth quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bulls looked like a fringe playoff team to start the 2024-25 season, with Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic at the helm and a mix of interesting role players and young guys around them that could emerge. While a late-season surge has Chicago locked into the play-in tournament, it's come as of a result of pivoting the focus to other faces on the roster.

With LaVine gone and Vucevic turning 35 years old this year, the team has pivoted to Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis to bring a new spark to this team. As a result, it's led to fewer minutes for former top pick Patrick Williams, despite the team giving him a massive five-year, $90 million contract. Recently, Williams spoke with the Chicago Sun-Times about his play this season.

Mar 19, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams (44) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the first half at PHX Aena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images | Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

‘‘When we’re winning, I’m having fun, regardless of how I’m playing,’’ Williams told the Sun-Times. ‘‘I come from a culture, obviously, at [Florida State] where winning was the top priority. When you win, everybody gets taken care of. You hold the trophy up, everybody gets to hold it up.

Battling injuries, Williams has appeared in just 57 games for the Bulls this season. In his appearances, he's averaging 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting a poor 38.6% from the field.

PATRICK WILLIAMS IN CRUNCH TIME.@CHSN__ | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/q7Wgm7DKrh

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 20, 2024

‘‘That’s kind of what got me to this point, holding myself to that high bar, you can say," Williams said regarding his current mental state. "And it’s not necessarily making or missing shots but how I’m playing, the energy I’m playing with. When that doesn’t happen, then something has to change. . . . But the only thing that can change it is a change in me.’’

With Buzelis now getting the starting role over Williams and his overall role with the team being up in the air, there's no telling what the future holds for him, especially with his massive contract. However, Williams is still just 23 years old and could still have a turnaround in his career.

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