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Concerns Suddenly Emerge Around Key Bulls Signing

Fresh off an extension, Patrick Williams is behind schedule with his recovery from season-ending foot surgery

By Vinnie Portell

Apr 12, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on from the bench against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on from the bench against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports / Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
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The Chicago Bulls have had awful injury luck over the past few seasons, so you may be accustomed to the type of news you’re about to hear.

Chicago JUST signed Patrick Williams to a five-year, $90 million contract extension five days ago, but questions regarding his long-term health have cropped up mere days after signing his deal.

Per a report from Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic, Williams still has not healed from foot surgery that ended his season in January, and that could be a bad sign of things to come.

Williams Could Have Lingering Health Problems

Williams had surgery to address a stress reaction to a bone edema in his foot back in early March, bringing about what he called a 'devastating' early end to his season.

A bone edema is the buildup of fluid in the bone marrow that causes swelling and pain, and can be brought on for a variety of reasons, including the stress fracture that Williams was found to have.

The timetable for his recovery was expected to be four months, per a report by Mayberry back in February, but that hasn't happened.

Mayberry addressed the concerns regarding Williams’s recovery on July 8 on the Bernstein & Holmes Show and had little optimism to offer.

"“I’ve heard that he’s still not healthy from this foot injury. And so, that does make you kind of wonder if there are some issues with his body, if he’s going to linger. Not just with injury, but any injury that comes over the lifespan of this new contract. There are some major questions that are following Patrick Williams even though he has the money.”"

- Darnell Mayberry

You can chalk this up to speculation for now, as nothing has been officially reported about the availability of Williams for the start of the season. 

But it’s still not ideal news.

The newly re-signed Zach LaVine also had season-ending foot surgery in February of this year and you're well aware that Lonzo Ball hasn’t played since January of 2022. 

If Williams has lingering issues, it could severely hamper Chicago’s rebuilding efforts.

Williams, 22, is supposed to be part of a core of players that also features Josh Giddey, 21, Coby White, 24, Ayo Dosunmu, 24, and first-round pick Matas Buzelis, 19. 

Now, Bulls fans are left to hope that Williams can make a turn in his recovery – turning an exciting contract extension into a potential anchor in a matter of days.

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