Patrick Williams Provides Optimistic Injury Update After Re-Signing With Bulls

The Chicago Bulls have been in the news a lot this offseason after trading Alex Caruso and DeMar DeRozan, which has signified to the fan base that the team could be rebuilding.

If the Bulls decide to go that route, they will need multiple young players to step up, such as Patrick Williams. The former first-round pick played in 43 games this past season after undergoing left shoulder surgery.

However, the Bulls liked what they saw from the 22-year-old forward and decided to re-sign him to a five-year, $90 million contract. Chicago fans and the Bulls’ front office will expect a lot from Williams as they head into a new direction, which includes staying healthy.

Williams provided a hopeful update on his playing status next season on Saturday at the Bulls’ Summer League contest, which should excite fans.

The 6-foot-7 forward told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago “for sure” that he’ll be ready for training camp.

Williams said he’s been cleared to do more after being sidelined by a bone bruise, which is an encouraging sign for him as he prepares for the 2024-25 campaign.

“I’m running and jumping now with no pain, no swelling. So it’s just a matter of getting my legs back under me,” he said. “The bone is fully healed. That rehab process is pretty much resting, making sure that I’m getting enough rest on that foot. Going over some things like how you run, how you walk, some preventative things. But for the most part, it’s let the bone rest, let the body do what it does.”

This past season with the Bulls, Williams averaged 10 points and 3.9 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game. Despite the limited action, the former fourth-overall pick averaged at least 10 points a game for the second consecutive season.

Williams also shot 39.9 percent from three-point range, which the Bulls hope he can continue next season. No one knows what to expect from Chicago as they try to find its new identity in the middle of a rebuild.

However, the Bulls have faith Williams can stay healthy, and be a key building block of their future.

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