SALT LAKE CITY — With just 14 regular-season games left, Bulls forward Patrick Williams can ease some concerns about his game, but he isn’t going to change any minds. He is what he is this season — including to some inside the organization.
Coach Billy Donovan hopes Williams can use the rest of the season to progress, specifically in his decision-making, before entering the offseason with a plan for how he can step up and play to the five-year, $90 million contract he received last summer.
“Never mind the injury part because he did have two situations, last year with [his foot] and then [his] wrist [in 2021-22],” Donovan said. “But besides that, I think he’s a guy who, early in his career — and it’s still early in his career — had a hard time getting over mistakes. I think he’s gotten past that and he’s been better with that. The other part is the decision-making part of it. There’s times he’s got to get off [the ball]. There’s times he’s got to shoot. There’s times he’s got to drive it.”
There are times he must box out, as well. That was the situation late in Saturday’s loss to the Rockets when Williams missed Jalen Green on the boxout, resulting in a putback that played into the outcome.
As Williams works his way back to form after missing nine games with a sore knee, there have been rusty moments. Donovan conceded he didn’t think Williams played well in his first game back against the Pacers before showing some life against the Nets and Rockets. But there has to be more progress than that.
“The one area he falls into a lot because of his strength and his athleticism, he can get to spots on the floor and take those pullup, fadeaway jump shots,” Donovan said. “I’m not saying they’re bad shots for him. Certainly, later in the clock, they’re good, but if you look across the league, generally those shots — maybe besides (Kevin) Durant and a few guys — it’s a tough shot to live with.
“The other part is getting his size, strength, athleticism into the game on every single possession and having the wherewithal and drive to do that. He’s been a very good defender for us, but can he be more active shot-blocking? Can he be more active on the defensive glass? Can he be more active on the offensive glass? Those things would allow him to see an evolution.”
Giddey watch
Guard Josh Giddey, who has been sidelined for more than a week with a sprained ankle, went through live work before the shootaround Monday morning and was able to jump and cut. The Bulls believe they’ll get him back in the next few games. They play back-to-back games in Phoenix and Sacramento on Wednesday and Thursday and they don’t want him playing in both contests. If Giddey plays against the Suns on Wednesday, he’ll almost certainly sit out against the Kings.
Ball back soon, too
Guard Lonzo Ball remained in Chicago, still experiencing pain in his injured right wrist. Donovan expects to see him back with the team at some point this week. In all likelihood, he’ll continue his rehab and rejoin the Bulls in Los Angeles on Friday, regardless of whether he’s able to play.
