Chicago Bulls: 3 Expectations for the upcoming 2022-23 season

Expectation Two: Patrick Williams takes a massive step forward

For the Chicago Bulls to take the next step, Patrick Williams must take a major step forward. In what I’m terming a “Luol Deng” year, Patrick Williams needs to average 15 and 7, on 35+ percent from 3-point-land while also taking on the task of guarding the opposing team’s best player. This last one is now of even more importance given Lonzo Ball’s uncertain health status.

If Patrick Williams is able to consistently play this role, not only would he be a fringe all-star, but would also benefit this team in a number of ways.

First off, his scoring contributions would alleviate immense pressure off the shoulders of not only Nikola Vucevic, but also Coby White. Between mid-December and mid-January of this past season, when the Chicago Bulls went on an 11-5 run, Coby White averaged 16 points per game on 44 percent shooting from 3.

However, after the all-star break when the Bulls collapsed to the finish line, his scoring went cold as he averaged just under 10 ppg and shot only 33 percent from 3. The emergence of Patrick Williams as a consistent scorer would not only take pressure to score off Coby White but would also open the floor up for both Coby and Ayo to perform more consistently in their roles.

The Chicago Bulls need multiple, viable scorers outside of Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan if they want to compete in the Eastern playoffs this year, and Patrick Williams is the key to unlocking that depth if he can take a major step forward this season.