Projecting the Bulls' 2024-25 Lineup After DeRozan Trade, Offseason Moves
By Zach Elliott
PF: Patrick Williams
The $90 million dollar man! Of course he’s starting. Williams has become somewhat burdened by the expectations of his draft slot. Being drafted number four overall leads to people making outlandish claims about your potential (read: The Paw).
On balance, Williams is a positive defender who posted a +0.2 defensive rating last season, per Cleaning the Glass, and is a career 40 percent three-point shooter. The whole being 6’ 7”, not rebounding, passing, or finishing at the rim thing is admittedly a bummer. But he’s turning 23 this coming season and already figured out the two skills that are going to get him roster spots until he’s 35.
There’s little we can rationally expect more of without here-to nonexistent on-ball growth from Williams. Even so, I yearn to believe in the toolsy young wing who’ll undoubtedly get more shots as he potentially loses three high volume teammates. When he signs for four years, $100 million in 2029, he can thank LaVine for those five extra shots a game.