Tag: Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams labeled ‘weakest link’ in Bulls starting lineup

In a recent article, Patrick Williams was listed as the “weakest link” in the Chicago Bulls starting lineup.

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Despite their lack of success for the past two seasons, the Chicago Bulls actually have plenty of star power. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic are all recent All-Stars, and Alex Caruso was named to the All-Defensive First Team this past year. However, their forward position has been a bit questionable.

According to Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, Patrick Williams is the “weakest link” in the Bulls’ starting lineup. The 21-year-old had the best season of his career this past year, but for the former fourth-overall pick, Williams hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations many had of him in his three NBA seasons.

Bailey referred to Williams as nothing more than a “cog” in the Bulls’ machine.

“Williams’ career and statistical profile is pretty similar to that of De’Andre Hunter.

“He’s a solid three-point shooter (at 41.4 percent for his career, he’s actually comfortably better than Hunter) and should be able to guard multiple positions, but the lack of ancillary contributions is at least a little troubling.

“And like most of the others detailed so far, Williams is a cog in a lineup that features plenty of talent.

“The pieces may fit together for little more than mediocrity over the last couple years, but all four of the starters provide plenty on an individual level.

“Perhaps if Williams can develop into a gap-filler who improves the fit between everyone else, he can shake this designation,” Bailey wrote.

This past year, Williams averaged 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 46.4% from the field and 41.5% from behind the three-point line.

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Who should start for Bulls: Patrick Williams or Torrey Craig?

Who should the Chicago Bulls place in the starting lineup: Patrick Williams or Torrey Craig?

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The Chicago Bulls made numerous solid moves this summer in an attempt to improve the roster around their stars. They re-signed Nikola Vucevic and Coby White, and, in free agency, they brought in veterans Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig. As result, the overall ceiling of the team improved.

However, with all of the additions come crucial questions: Who starts and who comes off the bench? There has already been an indication that Carter could start over White at the point guard, but what about the power forward position? Is there a chance Craig earns the starting job over Patrick Williams?

Elias Schuster of Bleacher Nation recently pondered this question.

“As for the power forward slot, the Bulls are in desperate need of more physicality and rebounding,” Schuster wrote. “Craig snagged a career-high 5.4 rebounds per game last season, including 2.7 OREBs per 36 minutes. Williams has continued to struggle when it comes to consistently cleaning the glass, which is something I’m sure the coaching staff will keep in mind. Where Williams should have the edge on Craig, however, is in the physicality department. While Craig is a switchable and talented defender, there is little question that Williams’ frame and sheer athleticism can be a real asset. I’d also say that there is comfortably more offensive upside with Williams. But this could actually end up as a reason to put him in the second unit, as he’ll be able to tap into this side of his game more without Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic on the floor.”

Ultimately, though, he landed on Williams.

“When we consider how important Williams remains to the Bulls’ long-term future, I’d probably prefer to see him eating up starting minutes,” Schuster wrote. “But I also can’t deny that Craig is a great fit next to the team’s “Big 3” on paper. We’ll just have to wait and see where Donovan’s head is at. If one thing is for sure, this is a decent problem to have.”

Who should start?

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Patrick Williams labeled as ‘most promising prospect’ on Bulls

Youngster Patrick Williams is the “most promising” prospect on the Chicago Bulls.

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After the Chicago Bulls were eliminated in the Play-In Tournament this past year, they set their sights on improvement. They could have torn down the roster, but instead, Arturas Karnisovas said he had no interest in a rebuild. And with the moves they’ve made this summer, Chicago improved the depth on their roster and improved their ceiling.

That being said, since Chicago’s core likely isn’t a true title contender (nor does it have the potential to be), they also need to invest in their youth in order to secure a better future for the organization. They don’t have a ton of youngsters on the roster, but there are some decent prospects.

According to Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report, Patrick Williams is the “most promising prospect” on Chicago’s roster.

“Bulls fans might be growing impatient for Williams’ leap year, but the 21-year-old still looms as the obvious choice here,” Buckley wrote. “He hasn’t disappointed so far—he owns a career 47.7/41.4/77.9 shooting slash—he just hasn’t taken off the way his tools and talent suggest he could. There’s still time for that big jump to happen, though.”

While his numbers didn’t jump off the page, Williams played well this past year, and his three-point percentage was as impressive as ever.

The soon-to-be 22-year-old appeared in all 82 games, starting 65 of them and playing a career-high 28.3 minutes per contest. Williams averaged 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 46.4% from the field and 41.5% from behind the three-point line.

How big of a jump could Williams take next season?

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Mock trade sees Bulls flip Patrick Williams for starting point guard

In this mock trade, the Chicago Bulls would flip Patrick Williams for a new starting point guard.

After this past season, it became clear that the Chicago Bulls, as currently constructed, aren’t a championship contender. And with their loss in the Play-In Tournament to the Miami Heat, they showed that they aren’t a lock to make the playoffs either. In fact, since pushing their chips on the table two years ago, the Bulls have only won a single playoff game.

In turn, some fans urged the Bulls to reset the roster this summer, but Arturas Karnisovas seemingly has no interest in a rebuild. And if that’s his plan, then the Bulls need to make more additions than just Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig, who, while solid players, don’t move the needle enough.

A trade proposal suggested by Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report would help them do just that.

Bulls GM: Patrick Williams got to grow for team to reach next level

The Chicago Bulls are depending on Patrick Williams’ development for their overall improvement.

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After snapping a four-year playoff drought in the 2021-22 season, the Chicago Bulls took a step back this past season. They were bounced in the play-in tournament by the Miami Heat and found themselves out of the playoffs once again. Rather than reset, the Bulls are pushing forward.

At the end of the season, Arturas Karnisovas stated Chicago had no intention of rebuilding the roster, as the Bulls wanted to keep the current core together and remain competitive. While they’ve made solid additions to the roster this summer, they need to get better internally, too, if they want to make significant improvements next season.

During an interview on the broadcast of Chicago’s first summer league game against the Toronto Raptors, general manager Marc Eversley spoke about the important of Patrick Williams‘ growth to the improvement of the Bulls. (H/t Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times)

“This is a really big year for (him),” Eversley said. “For us to take that next level, Patrick’s got to grow. I know he’s put in the work this summer — he’ll continue to put in the work. He’s really got to take another step. Learning how to play with those three guys (LaVine, DeRozan and Vucevic) is going to be critical for him. Whether it’s making shots, getting to the bucket . . . he’s got to take that next step offensively.”

Chicago has a solid core, but Williams is definitely the key. He’s already a great defender, but if he can take massive leaps on the offensive end, the Bulls will get a much-needed boost, and potentially a fourth star.

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Mock trade sees Bulls land James Harden in blockbuster deal

In this mock trade, the Chicago Bulls would land Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden.

This past season, the Chicago Bulls season ended in disappointment. But rather than tearing the roster down, Arturas Karnisovas stated that they had no intention of rebuilding the roster, signaling they would instead push forward and attempt to get back into the playoffs next year.

So far in free agency, their moves have helped that goal. They re-signed Nikola Vucevic and Coby White and brought in Jevon Carter and Torrey Craig to help the team’s depth. But with the state of their team, the Bulls project to be a first-round exit at best, barring more major changes to the roster.

In turn, Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report suggested a trade for Chicago that would see them land James Harden from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Patrick Williams could be biggest mystery for Bulls this season

Patrick Williams’ progression could be the biggest key to the improvement of the Chicago Bulls next year.

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The Chicago Bulls have aspirations of getting back into the playoffs next year. So far this summer, all the moves they’ve made have been with that goal in mind. Chicago re-signed Nikola Vucevic and Coby White and brought in veteran point guard Jevon Carter.

However, the biggest eyebrow-raiser on the team could be someone already on the roster. Patrick Williams is 21 years old (22 by the start of the season) and has already played three NBA seasons. If he’s ready to take on a larger role, his improvement could be the missing piece for Chicago to take a massive step forward.

In a recent mailbag article by Sam Smith of NBA.com, a fan wrote in urging the Bulls to let Williams go full throttle, and Smith noted Williams could be the “biggest mystery” heading into next year.

“I agree Williams may be the big mystery player for the upcoming season,” Smith wrote. “He becomes extension eligible and has stated he wants to play wing, so that suggests he may be ready to embrace that assertiveness everyone keeps calling for. And maybe enhance his rebounding. It’s been for me one of the biggest questions for the summer, both to find a point guard and shooting and either or not to make a commitment to Williams, which I believe management wants to do as they’ve supposedly had him the most hands off in any trade talks. So can he become that and find his space with that run it back thinking? It doesn’t seem so, which is why I still believe there could be change to come.”

Williams’ progression could be the key to the Bulls’ future.

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Bulls Patrick Williams, Dalen Terry join DeMar DeRozan for LA workouts

Two Chicago Bulls youngsters – Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry – recently joined DeMar DeRozan in LA for workouts.

As the Chicago Bulls enter the offseason, they will have a ton of tough decisions to make in regard to their roster. Arturas Karnisovas is determined to run things back, and if that’s the plan, they need to add some serious talent around the core of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic.

However, in addition to the need for outside help, Chicago will also need to lean on internal development if they hope to improve next year. And based on recent indications, the team’s young players are already in the lab working on their games in preparation for next year.

According to the Bulls’ official Twitter account, Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry, two of the team’s youngsters, joined DeRozan for workouts in Los Angeles last week.

Chicago is in desperate need of depth at the forward position, so if Williams and Terry can make strides heading into next year, it would be huge for the Bulls.

Williams is up for a contract extension this summer and could earn a decent chunk of change, but next year could end up being the deciding season for him. If the Bulls hold off on an extension, Williams’ price could go way up should he show signs of improvement.

As for Terry, he will be looking to emerge as a rotational piece next year after receiving little playing time during his rookie year.

Both forwards seem to have potential, and if they get in the lab with DeRozan over the summer, they should be able to build the right habits.

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2023 Penn State football snapshot profile: No. 40 Patrick Williams

A glance at redshirt freshman safety Patrick Williams heading into the 2023 Penn State football season.

Going into the 2023 football season, Nittany Lions Wire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Penn State roster. Over the preseason, each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for James Franklin this season.

Next up is another redshirt freshman adding some depth to the roster, safety [autotag]Patrick Williams[/autotag]. The redshirt freshman did not see the field in 2022 for the Nittany Lions but hopes to find ways to help contribute if needed entering the 2023 season.

Bulls’ Patrick Williams not guaranteed extension despite ‘believers’

Despite having believers in the organization, Chicago Bulls’ Patrick Williams isn’t guaranteed to get a contract extension this summer.

The Chicago Bulls are in a very tricky spot, as they could choose to push forward and make a run at the playoffs or completely tear things down and head toward a rebuild. Arturas Karnisovas seems intent on the former, but that means he will have to keep the current core intact.

One player who will be in need of a contract extension very soon is Patrick Williams, who is nearing the end of his rookie-scale contract. Williams, just 21 years old, has plenty of room to grow and improve, but nothing is guaranteed. During a recent edition of the “Bulls Talk” podcast, NBC Sports Chicago’s KC Johnson said as much (h/t Arthur Hill of Hoops Rumors).

Johnson stated that while Williams still has believers in the Bulls organization, he’s not guaranteed to earn a contract extension this offseason.

“Patrick Williams still has a lot of believers within the Bulls organization, but that doesn’t guarantee he’ll get a rookie scale extension this summer, Johnson said on the Bulls Talk podcast,” Hill wrote. “Johnson notes that management typically takes a hard line in extension talks and suggests that the team might handle Williams the same way it did [Coby] White, letting him play out his rookie contract and negotiating with him next summer as a restricted free agent.”

If the Bulls hope to take a serious step forward, they desperately need Williams to make major strides. Maybe letting him play out his current deal could be a way of motivating him to do so.

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