Believe it or not, there was a time when fans were excited about Patrick Williams. In 2020, the Chicago Bulls selected the then-19-year-old forward from Florida State in a delayed draft due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If the draft were held in June, as per usual, Williams would have been selected as an 18-year-old.
Knowing this, it was assumed Williams was a raw prospect. Moreover, Williams wasn’t just raw from an age standpoint; he didn’t start a game in his abbreviated collegiate career. The 6-foot-7 forward came off the bench for 22.5 minutes per contest while suiting up for an excellent Florida State squad that finished fourth in the AP Poll.
Williams was drafted on the premise that his vast potential far outweighed his subtle production. NBADraft.net compared Williams to OG Anunoby and called him “an explosive, “freakish” combo forward with intriguing upside, especially as a defender… One of the most explosive athletes in college basketball, Williams is difficult to keep off the offensive glass… Oozes potential with his eye-popping physical profile and standout versatility.”
Patrick Williams struggles are well-documented
Plenty to be excited about. Yet, five years later, we’re all well aware of what’s transpired. Williams failed to live up to his draft status, although he wasn’t always put in the best situation to succeed. Then, out of nowhere, the Bulls decided to re-sign Williams to a five-year, $90 million contract, coming off a season where he appeared in only 43 games and averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game.
The former lottery pick always shot the ball with great efficiency and held his own defensively. But anyone could tell you he wasn’t worth $18 million per season. Letting Williams prove himself, playing last season on his $12.9 million qualifying offer, or signing him to a two or three-year pact would have been far more reasonable. Nevertheless, Chicago bet against itself by handing a restricted free agent a lucrative five-year deal.
The Bulls’ immediate return on the investment was troubling. Williams averaged 7.4 points per game and shot 29.5 percent from the floor to begin the 2024-25 season. He picked it up in November, but suffered an untimely flare-up of his surgically repaired foot, causing him to miss 11 contests.
Williams performed well upon returning, but began to struggle as the season progressed. He averaged merely 8.1 points per game in January before being yanked from the starting lineup in favor of Ayo Dosunmu. Chicago’s best player, Zach LaVine, was then traded, which in turn elevated then-rookie Matas Buzelis into the starting five.
Williams retained his bench role for the rest of the 2024-25 season. In 27 appearances off the pine, the 23-year-old averaged 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game while shooting 41.8 percent from the floor and 30.5 percent from beyond the arc. His offensive rating decreased, and his defensive rating saw a one-point increase following the role change.
The Florida State product’s fifth professional campaign was no doubt his worst, coincidentally coming immediately after signing a long-term contract. As expected, fans wanted Williams gone more than ever, and the front office reportedly agreed with the sentiment.
Playing the waiting game is the best strategy to trade
However, as badly as Williams needs a fresh start and as much as Chicago needs to thin its loaded forward unit, now isn’t the time to trade the embroiled former lottery pick.
While Williams has underperformed thus far in his career, he still has three things going for him. First, Williams is only 23-years-old. He’s somehow younger than two players drafted this year. Second, he’s a coveted archetype as an athletic 6-foot-7 forward capable of suiting up at two positions. Third, he’s low maintenance and highly efficient. Williams can fit on any team and in any lineup.
Selecting an 18-year-old, like the Bulls did this year, has its cons, but at the same time, there’s plenty of margin for error. Williams signed his second contract at 22 years old! Digressing, Williams still has time to prove he’s a worthwhile contributor. He’ll play next season as a 24-year-old.
Holding onto Williams through next season is Chicago’s best bet. Trading him now would likely require draft compensation or the Bulls taking on an even worse contract in this scenario. Allowing the two-way forward to revive his value while the terms of his contract decrease only ups his value.
There’s certainly a world where Williams is buried on the Bulls’ depth chart, now including Isaac Okoro and 12th-overall pick Noa Essengue. Nonetheless, even if his playing time dwindles, his perceived trade value cannot possibly worsen—it’s already hit rock bottom. Playing the waiting game is the most reasonable avenue to trading one of the league’s most distressed assets.
