The Chicago Bulls have done a pretty good job of drafting over the past few years, but it's tough to ignore what Patrick Williams is at this stage of his career. Dealing with some injuries since entering the league, he's never found a real flow in the Bulls organization, and that's an issue.
However, still being as young as he is at 23 years old, there's a very good chance the youngster will have an opportunity to figure things out with a different organization.
Some even believe the Bulls have to allow him that chance, including Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, who named him one of five players under 25 who need a trade.
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“Save perhaps for friends and family members, there isn't a bigger believer in Williams than Chicago's front office. The Bulls made that clear when they made him the fourth overall pick in 2020, then doubled down on that commitment with a five-year, $90 million extension last summer that came on the heels of four frustratingly forgettable seasons.
“Just because Williams' biggest supporters are in the Windy City, though, that does not mean it remains the best place for his development,” he wrote.
It'd be tough to see the Bulls give up on Williams already, but many fans want that to happen. He's coming off a season where he averaged 9.0 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shot 35.3% from 3-point range.
Williams has shown flashes of being an above-average player, but nothing to ever suggest that he could be a star in this league, which is what the Bulls were hoping for.
Still, given the team's youth and the direction it’s heading, Williams could be a decent long-term fit. If that's the case, the Bulls will need to figure some things out and hope everything goes as well as it can.