The Chicago Bulls and power forward Patrick Williams had until the eve of the 2023-24 NBA regular season to hammer out a rookie scale extension. The deadline came and went without a deal getting done, which means Williams will be a restricted free agent in 2024.
He is one of 13 players, which includes three of the top five picks that year, to not sign an extension and play out the final year of their rookie deals. It was something Williams was not worried about, as he came to peace with the decision before the deadline even passed.
“That’s more the business of basketball. I think that’s why I have an agent. I’ve never been good at the business of basketball, to be honest. It really hasn’t been much of an importance of mine up to this point,” Williams said via Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. “My main focus for now is really just try to get this team over the next hump. Get myself over that hump.”
What Williams is referring to is his production on the court. Williams is oozing with potential; that is why the Bulls selected him as No. 4 overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. But, he hasn’t come close to living up to expectations in his first three seasons.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Patrick Williams, Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls Updates
In 171 career games, Williams is averaging 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 27.8 minutes per game. Pedestrian numbers from a player the franchise was hoping to become a cornerstone for years to come.
He has shown promise in some areas, as he is a versatile defender who can guard multiple positions. Strides have been made as a shooter as well, as Williams has knocked down 41.1 percent of his 3-point attempts.
But, given the star power the Bulls have on their roster with All-Stars Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic, Williams hasn’t been able to find his niche. He has admitted to not always being comfortable on the court, something the coaching staff should be helping with, too.
While many people believe that to be putting up big scoring numbers, but the Bulls just need Williams to provide maximum effort; the statistics will come along with that. If he can do that, the kind of money he is seeking will also be presented to him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Patrick Williams, Billy Donovan, Chicago Bulls Updates
“I’m hearing Patrick Williams wants big big numbers,” ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on “The Lowe Post with Zach Lowe” on October 20 “Like starts with a two and isn’t ‘[$20 million] kind of stuff potentially.”
That isn’t a sum the Bulls or any team in the NBA is going to give Williams at this point. He hasn’t shown nearly enough to receive a contract that would total close to $100 million if not surpass that.
Finding consistency on the court would go a long way to landing the kind of contract that he is seeking. The 2023-24 season will be a big one for him, as he needs to produce or a spot on an NBA roster next season will be hard to come by.
Want the latest NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
Interested in reading the latest storylines and analysis in the NFL? Check out our partner NFL Analysis Network.
