Chicago Bulls' Patrick Williams, 44, drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies' Jacob Gilyard defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
AP
Patrick Williams will become a restricted free agent before the next time he takes the floor in an NBA game.
His future with the Bulls was already uncertain, but season-ending foot surgery added another variable to the equation.
“I would love to continue being a Bull, I love it here,” Williams said Saturday at the Advocate Center. “I love the opportunity we have to build something special with this group…and I think I can really be a key piece to this team. But you never know what the future holds.”
Williams will likely remain with the Bulls, but it could be on a one-year qualifying offer or a new long-term contract. The 6-foot-7 forward had the highest-scoring full month of his NBA career in December, when he averaged 14.1 points with a true shooting percentage of .625.
“I thought he was on a good path,” coach Billy Donovan said. “When he was healthy, I thought he made good positive strides.”
The Bulls have invested too much in Williams to let him go. He was the No. 4 overall pick in 2020. They hope he makes a big jump, like Coby White did this season or Lauri Markkanen did once he left the Bulls. They also have a guard-heavy lineup, so losing Williams would leave a big hole in the forward line.
“We were trying to make him a little more selfish,” teammate Alex Caruso said. “But I think he's been doing a good job of becoming a more aggressive scorer on that second unit for us.”
The surgery prognosis was difficult to accept because Williams believed he was on the road to recovery. He began training during the All-Star break, described his pain level as two out of 10 and felt he could play again by the end of the month.
But the medical staff sent him for an MRI to check how the foot was healing and it showed a stress fracture. Williams said the surgery is scheduled for March 6 in New York.
“It's tough at one time to go from thinking you're stepping up on Tuesday to having to have surgery two days later,” Williams said. “Not easy at all.”
Williams believes the best way to deal with the disappointment is to be around his teammates and attack the rehab process. If all goes well, he could be back to full speed by June or July, and will have time left to prepare for next season.
“We feel it,” Caruso said. “He's one of the nicest guys I've ever had as a teammate. He wants everyone to be okay.”
Williams believes the fact he played so well in December gives him a blueprint for future success. The Bulls would like to see an increase in his rebounding, but Williams shot 50% from 3-point range in December and has reliable movement with his floaters in the lane.
“There's really nothing good or bad in my mind,” Williams said. “It's really up to you what happens to you and how you choose to respond to it. I'm looking forward to having the surgery, recovering and getting back on the field.”
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