The Chicago Bulls will continue to invest in the development of Patrick Williams after reportedly re-signing the versatile wing to a five-year, $90 million deal, as reported by The Athletic.
Assessment of Williams’ value to the Bulls has always been hindered by the perception of his No. 4 draft selection in 2020, which placed outsized expectations on the young player’s shoulders. But removing Williams from this framing makes it clear why the Bulls still rate him as a long-term investment. Williams is one of the best shooters on the roster, averaging 41% from behind the arc on his career and 39.9% on an average of 3.4 attempts from 3 last season. And he provides a cross-positional defensive versatility that few players his age can match.
That doesn’t mean the Bulls think Williams is anywhere near his potential. His lack of offensive aggressiveness has been a sticking point for the team throughout the past four seasons. Injuries have been a concern for Williams while also contributing to the inconsistency of his growth. He missed the majority of the 2021-22 season following surgery for a wrist injury and played all 82 games of the 2022-23 season before needing to be shut down this season due to a knee injury.
For these reasons, the reported contract is ideal because — in theory — it will continue to appreciate in value as it ages. By the time the Bulls hit the fifth year of this deal, an $18 million annual contract should feel like a steal for the quality of player the Bulls are banking on Williams growing into. This ultimately represents the best of both worlds — a mostly team-friendly deal that still gives Williams long-term sustainability in a market to build confidence as he once again attempts to establish himself as a starting contributor.
Re-signing Williams also continues a trend toward the future for the Bulls, who are in flux this offseason as they attempt to restructure their roster. With Williams and new point guard Josh Giddey in the mix, the average age of the Bulls current projected starting lineup has plummeted to 25.6 years. If the Bulls move either Zach LaVine or Nikola Vučević, that number could drop below 24.
Here are the other moves the Bulls have made so far in free agency.
Bulls pick up Torrey Craig’s one-year option
The Bulls picked up a one-year, $2.8 million option for forward Torrey Craig on Saturday, potentially returning a versatile rotation player who offered an important lift in energy and defensive pressure last season.
Craig initially won the starting power forward position over Williams, edging out the younger wing with his adaptability as a defender and reliable shooting across the floor. But Craig suffered inconsistency last year due to a plantar fascia injury that he sustained in January and never fully returned to form, averaging only 18.3 minutes per game through the final 33-game stretch of the season.
At age 33, Craig would be one of the most veteran players on the Bulls roster aside from Zach LaVine and Nikola Vučević this coming season. The Bulls could flex Craig as a sign-and-trade asset as they approach the free agency market with a focus on realigning the roster around developing young talent.
