Bulls News

Patrick Williams isn't the building block the Bulls expected him to be

Williams is not living up to his draft spot,
Stephen Beslic|
© Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Chicago Bulls

Bulls fans would have wanted to see the No. 4 overall pick in 2020 play up to the caliber of the position he was drafted in, but it appears less likely with each passing season. When Williams was picked in 2020, current VP of Bulls basketball operations Arturas Karsinovas was overjoyed.

“When I saw his skill level and ball handling and shooting and ability to pass, I would disagree he's that raw athlete. He knows how to play. He's a versatile defender who can guard one to five,” Karsinovas told media after the draft. “ I don't even know what position he is. If you watched Florida State games even after baskets he would be full court pressing on guards. That's a very unique skill for such an athletic and big player.” 

A few years later, Bulls fans will be wishing they probably went a different direction in 2020.

Patrick Williams by the Numbers

In his one season at Florida State, Williams wasn’t particularly impressive on the offensive side of the ball, averaging just 9.2 points per game in 29 games that season. However, his ability to guard any position on the court and his 1.0 blocks per game and 1.0 steals per game drew comparisons to Kawhi Leonard which intrigued many in the Bulls organization.

Now in his 4th season with Chicago, Williams' stats have not improved from his college days. In fact, in his rookie season, he averaged exactly 9.2 points per game again, which is more impressive in the NBA than in college, but since then some sort of development would be expected. And Patrick has not improved.

This season Williams is averaging career lows in minutes played (23.0), field goal percentage (33%), 3-point field goal percentage (27.7%), rebounds (3.7), and points per game (6.1). Patrick was certainly not performing at an all-star caliber level last year, but the regression seen since last season especially is quite concerning.

What to Do with Patrick Williams

In the Bulls' loss to the Orlando Magic on November 17th, Williams played 13 minutes, put up 0 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist, while also committing 3 turnovers. His career-low of 6.1 points per game has been generating clamor from fans to get rid of him while there is still any interest from other teams.

However, the Bulls will want to be careful about just shipping Patrick Williams away, as they got burnt once before by getting rid of Lauri Markkanen. After averaging career lows in his 4th season with Chicago, the Bulls did a sign and trade which sent Markkanen to the Cavs, where he played well before exploding with the Jazz.

That being said, Markkanen was playing much better than Williams, so maybe it's time to throw caution to the wind. Patrick Williams has not been playing to the caliber of the 4th overall pick, despite having flashes here and there.

It might be time to get rid of Patrick Williams. 

Patrick Williams needs to start anew

Published
Stephen Beslic
STEPHEN BESLIC

Stephen Beslic is a writer on Sports Illustrated's FanNation Network. Stephen played basketball from the age of 10 and graduated from Faculty of Economic and Business in Zagreb, Croatia, majoring in Marketing.

Home/Off The Court