Over four seasons with the Chicago Bulls, forward Patrick Williams has showcased his value as a defender while displaying some promising offensive development. Defensively, Williams has the tools and instincts to be a significant contributor, consistently demonstrating his abilities in recent years. His length and defensive awareness make him an effective on-ball and team defender.
On offense, Williams has shown improvement as a catch-and-shoot player and has developed a more reliable pull-up game. He had a solid 2023-24 season before a foot injury ended it prematurely in late January, preventing him from contributing during the crucial stretch run. Despite some offensive growth, Williams will need to elevate his game to justify the five-year, $90 million contract (including a player option in the fifth year) he signed this summer. To meet those expectations, he must become a more consistent offensive presence.
Offensive Development and Future Expectations
While Williams has made strides, especially in shooting, he must continue to refine his scoring and playmaking. Over the past two seasons, he averaged 10.0 and 10.2 points per game, with a true shooting percentage of 55.3 and 57.6, respectively. Impressively, he hit 40.9% of his three-point attempts during that span, including 39.9% in 2023-24. His catch-and-shoot three-point accuracy stood at 38.8% last season, though his overall shooting volume remained relatively low at 3.4 attempts per game.
For the upcoming 2024-25 season, it will be important for Williams to develop more as an on-ball creator and scorer. Last season, he shot a solid 45.7% on pull-up attempts, with those shots accounting for 25.6% of his field goal attempts. Progressing in this area could help him capitalize on closeouts and ball-swing opportunities in the halfcourt.
Additionally, increasing his effectiveness as a driver and secondary playmaker would be beneficial. In 2023-24, Williams averaged 4.9 drives per game, generating 2.4 points per outing. While not expected to become a high-volume driver, more versatility in those situations could make him a tougher matchup for defenders. Enhancing his playmaking ability—he recorded a 7.7% assist rate last season—could also help the Bulls create better offensive opportunities.
Defensive Impact and Overall Outlook
Defensively, Williams remains a key asset for the Bulls, offering multi-positional versatility and playmaking on that end. However, to validate Chicago’s investment, he must become a more dependable two-way player. At just 23 years old, Williams still has significant upside, but with DeMar DeRozan’s departure and rookie Matas Buzelis joining the team, the Bulls will rely on him to take a larger role in Year 5. This season will be a pivotal moment for Williams to solidify his place as a cornerstone for Chicago’s future.
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