Chicago Bulls Rumors: Patrick Williams could be the guy at 4

The latest draft rumors around the Chicago Bulls have connected Arturas Karnisovas to Florida State’s Patrick Williams.

The rumors around the Chicago Bulls and the upcoming NBA Draft have been nonexistent to date, save for a few trade scenarios involving Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and Golden State’s pick at number two (via the Zach Lowe podcast).

However, reports have been surfacing that the Bulls EVP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas (among several other teams) have been looking at Patrick Williams as their potential draft pick out of Florida State.

The most recent report out of Bleacher Nation quoted:

“Local Bulls guru K.C. Johnson has now also hopped on the Williams hyped train, taking things further than anyone else yet. He wrote over at NBC Sports Chicago that the Bulls could be “increasingly focused” on Williams as Wednesday night nears:

‘But this is indisputable: The buzz surrounding the Bulls becoming increasingly focused on Patrick Williams is intensifying by the day.

One league source even went so far as to say he’s under the impression that the Bulls have told the Florida State forward they plan to draft him should they not trade up from No. 4.'”

While the article written by Elias Schuster continued to say that nothing is certain, the belief that there is a legitimate interest on the side of the Chicago Bulls towards Patrick Williams appears to be real.

Williams is a fascinating prospect with his size and athleticism screaming his potential as a future two-way wing. His abilities shown with the Seminoles last season awarded him with ACC All-freshman team honors as well as an ACC Sixth Man of the Year award.

During Wiliams’ only campaign at Florida State, he averaged just over nine points, four rebounds along with one assist, one steal and one block per contest. The defensive awareness was apparent, and his 6-foot-8 frame could develop into a steady positional rebounder at the NBA level.

The low assist numbers are misleading, as Williams is a willing passer. His want to run and share the ball could be a trait that AK has expressed interest in, as the Bulls executive has highlighted multi-positional passing players as something he covets.

Williams fits that bill to the letter.

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However, there are a few things to be concerned about, namely the scoring numbers. While Williams showed the ability to catch lobs and cut to the basket using his athleticism, he only attempted seven shots per game.

His 16 made 3-pointers on the year were converted at a 32 percent clip, though his mechanics look like they will develop.

With a defensive-minded coach like Billy Donovan at the helm, and Williams filling a position of need (at a younger age than Chandler Hutchison, might I add), Williams could be the future of the position.

He could also be the proof for the expanded player development staff of the Bulls is for real, if Williams turns into a starter, let alone a star.