Bulls' Patrick Williams: Stays in Chicago on four-year deal
Rotowire
Williams (foot) and the Bulls agreed Saturday on a five-year, $90 million contract, Shams Charania of The Athletic reports.
Williams has had a lot of ups and downs with the Bulls after joining the organization as the No. 4 overall pick of the 2020 NBA Draft, but he's a career 41 percent shooter from beyond the arc who has excelled as an on-ball defender. Set to turn 23 years old in August, Williams may still have some untapped upside if he can avoid the health issues that cut short his 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons. He's currently recovering from the left foot surgery he underwent in February, but the expectation is that he'll be ready to go for training camp.
... See More... See Less
Bulls' Patrick Williams: Bulls extend qualifying offer
Rotowire
The Bulls extended their qualifying offer to Williams (foot) on Monday, making him a restricted free agent, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports.
Williams will now be able to negotiate with other teams when free agency starts June 30; however, the Bulls will have the opportunity to match any offers he receives. The 22-year-old had his 2023-24 season cut short due to a left foot injury, and he averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 27.3 minutes in 43 regular-season appearances. While it is not fully clear what direction the Bulls are currently trending in, Williams is still young and would fit the mold of a rebuild player who could remain with the team for a significant time.
The Bulls announced Friday that Williams will undergo surgery to address bone edema in his left foot and will be out for the remainder of 2023-24.
Williams hasn't played since Jan. 25 due to his left foot injury and will now be shut down for the remainder of the season. Ayo Dosunmu, Julian Phillips and Alex Caruso should continue to receive increased playing time in his absence. Williams will end the 2023-24 campaign averaging 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 27.3 minutes across 43 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Bulls' Patrick Williams: Still without clear target date
Rotowire
Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said Williams (foot) has begun light ramp-up activities but hasn't resumed running and remains without a clear timeline for returning to game action, Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Williams hasn't played since Jan. 25 due to a bone edema in his left foot. Though Williams seems to be in a better spot on the health front nearly a month after suffering the injury, he still appears to be at least a week or more away from being ready to play in games. Williams can safely be ruled out for Thursday's game against the Celtics, and likely a few more contests to follow.
The Bulls announced Tuesday that Williams has been diagnosed with acute bone edema in his left foot and will be re-evaluated in two weeks, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reports.
Given that Williams will merely be re-evaluated in two weeks, he's unlikely to be cleared for game action until after the All-Star break. Ayo Dosunmu moved into the starting five and played 33 minutes in Sunday's win over Portland while Williams was sidelined, though that spot on the top unit will eventually be returned to Zach LaVine (ankle), assuming LaVine isn't traded before the Feb. 8 deadline. Along with Dosunmu, rookie Julian Phillips was one of the beneficiaries of Williams' absence -- he played 23 minutes Monday and recorded 11 points, two rebounds, one assist and one block.
... See More... See Less
Bulls' Patrick Williams: Won't play Tuesday
Rotowire
Williams (foot) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Raptors.
Williams missed back-to-back games in mid-January due to an ankle injury but returned Jan. 18 and played in four straight games (three starts) before being sidelined Saturday due to a foot injury. It's unclear if the two issues are related, but the fourth-year wing will miss his fifth game of January on Tuesday. His next chance to suit up will come Wednesday in Charlotte, while Julian Phillips, Dalen Terry and Alex Caruso are candidates for increased roles versus Toronto.
... See More... See Less
Bulls' Patrick Williams: Won't play against Portland
Rotowire
Williams is out for Sunday's game versus the Trail Blazers due to left midfoot soreness.
Williams will miss Saturday's contest due to a foot injury. Alex Caruso and Dalen Terry are candidates to receive increased playing time in his absence. Williams' next chance to suit up is Tuesday's matchup with Toronto.
... See More... See Less
Bulls' Patrick Williams: Cleared to play
Rotowire
Williams (ankle) is available for Thursday's game against the Lakers.
Williams will shed another probable tag to appear in his fourth straight game for the Bulls. The forward has scored in double figures in three straight contests with a total of eight triples in that stretch.
... See More... See Less
Bulls' Patrick Williams: Expected to play Thursday
Rotowire
Williams (ankle) is listed as probable for Thursday's game versus the Lakers.
Williams will likely continue to play through a right ankle sprain Thursday. The 22-year-old forward has started in each of Chicago's last two contests and logged 27 and 32 minutes, respectively.
... See More... See Less
Bulls' Patrick Williams: Cleared for action
Rotowire
Williams (ankle) will play Monday versus Phoenix.
Williams will suit up for his third straight game despite dealing with a right ankle strain. He slots into a fully healthy Bulls frontcourt, although guard Zach LaVine will miss his second consecutive game at the start of a multi-week absence due to an ankle injury.
... See More... See Less
Bulls' Patrick Williams: Considered probable for Monday
Rotowire
Williams is listed as probable for Monday's game against Phoenix due to a right ankle strain.
Williams has dealt with nagging ankle issues throughout January, missing three of Chicago's past eight contests. However, the 22-year-old started in his normal workload Saturday and has suited up for two consecutive games, putting him on track to play Monday.
