Patrick Williams Gets Another Shot in Chicago - But Can He Make It Count?
Just when it looked like Patrick Williams’ time in Chicago was winding down, the former No. 4 overall pick is back in the mix - not necessarily because he earned it, but because the Bulls suddenly need him.
Williams, who signed a five-year, $90 million extension in June 2024, was once seen as a cornerstone of the Bulls’ future. That deal came just before he hit restricted free agency - a show of faith from the front office, despite Williams missing 115 games over his first four seasons and averaging a modest 9.7 points and 4.2 rebounds.
Since then? It’s been more of the same.
The Florida State product hasn’t exactly seized the opportunity. Last season, after 36 games, he was benched in favor of then-rookie Matas Buzelis.
This year, he’s cracked the starting lineup just three times. His numbers since signing that extension - 8.1 points and 3.4 rebounds across 114 games - haven’t quieted the “draft bust” talk.
But here we are again. Williams is back in the rotation, and this time, it’s not about upside or potential - it’s about necessity.
Bulls’ Roster Shake-Up Opens the Door
At the trade deadline, Executive VP Artūras Karnišovas finally hit the reset button. Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, and Nikola Vučević were all moved in a flurry of deals that netted Chicago nine second-round picks and a new-look backcourt featuring Anfernee Simons, Jaden Ivey, Rob Dillingham, and Collin Sexton.
They join a crowded guard group that already includes Josh Giddey, Tre Jones, Yuki Kawamura, and Mac McClung. But in the frontcourt? It’s a different story.
Nick Richards, acquired at the deadline, is the only healthy true center on the roster. The forward rotation now includes Buzelis, Isaac Okoro, Leonard Miller, Guerschon Yabusele, Jalen Smith, and yes - Patrick Williams.
With injuries piling up and unfamiliar faces still earning their stripes, head coach Billy Donovan is working with a patchwork rotation. That’s left Williams with an unexpected opportunity to log meaningful minutes.
The Numbers Still Lag Behind
Before the roster shake-up, Williams was averaging 18.6 minutes per game through 46 appearances - putting up 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds. Not exactly the kind of production you hope for from a former top-five pick entering his fifth season.
Since the trades on February 3, Donovan has leaned more heavily on Williams. He’s averaging 25.0 minutes over the last five games - a noticeable uptick. But even with the increased run, the production remains lukewarm: 10.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
With Leonard Miller still working to earn Donovan’s trust, Jalen Smith sidelined by injury, and Okoro missing the final game before the All-Star break, Williams was thrust into the starting lineup. Not because he demanded it with his play, but because the Bulls simply didn’t have many other options.
Another Audition - But Is There a Future?
This isn’t a redemption arc just yet. Williams isn’t suddenly turning heads or rewriting his narrative. But in a rebuilding season where the Bulls are clearly looking toward the future, he’s getting another extended look.
The question now is whether he can finally make something of it. The tools have always been there - the size, the defensive versatility, the flashes of offensive polish. But consistency, aggression, and impact have remained elusive.
If Williams wants to carve out a role in this new-look Bulls roster - or anywhere else in the league - this stretch could be his last real chance to prove he belongs. The opportunity is there. What he does with it is up to him.