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.
