Bulls forward Patrick Williams has been diagnosed with acute bone edema in his left foot, the team announced today in a press release. According to the Bulls, Williams will begin a period of “active rest” and will be reevaluated in approximately two weeks.
Noting that the Bulls’ last game before the All-Star break is on February 14, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago says a best-case scenario for Williams would see him return to action on Feb. 22 in the team’s first game after the break. However, there’s no guarantee he’ll be ready to play at that time.
Williams was held out of Sunday’s game in Portland due to what the team referred to in the injury report as mid-foot soreness. He was wearing a walking boot that day, according to Johnson, who adds that acute bone edema means there has been fluid build-up in Williams’ bone marrow. The former lottery pick said on Sunday that the foot had been bothering him for some time.
“It was just gradual. It’s been a while,” Williams said. “I’ve been trying to do maintenance on it, do pregame work on it, postgame work on it. That Laker game (last Thursday) kind of hit the peak for me.”
A potential restricted free agent at the end of the 2023/24 season, Williams has averaged 10.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 27.3 minutes per game across 43 appearances (30 starts) for Chicago this season, posting a shooting line of .443/.399/.788.
With Williams and Torrey Craig both sidelined, Johnson expects rookie forward Julian Phillips to take on a larger rotation role. Ayo Dosunmu, who replaced Williams in the starting five on Sunday, is another player who could see more minutes with the fourth-year forward on the shelf.
Every time this guy gets a chance, he can’t even get out of his own way. Yeah, he had a few nice games this year and that likely will be rewarded with a rookie extension. This is starting to go down as one of the worst draft picks in Bulls history, especially with how Halli has been to start of his career.
Just rough being a Bulls fans now, given how other franchises have already surpassed them in terms of talent and rebuilds.
Because the Bulls refuse to commit to a rebuild. They’ve been committed to this nightmare since 2020 and the only thing they have to show for it is a play in game where DeRozans daughter yelled for 48 minutes.
Even this year. Why on earth do they still have DeRozan and Caruso? Why have you not moved those pieces to the highest bidder? Because they’re terrified of a rebuild.
Why rebuild when people keep filling the seats? Jerry Reinsdorf is perfectly happy with mediocre. He just doesn’t like paying taxes.
Jerry and his kids are still reaping the benefits of the Jordan Years. My friend mentioned that to me and it makes perfect sense on why he said once he passes, keep the Bulls and sell the White Sox. MJ’s brand and label with anything Bulls related is still a cash cow for the family and the team. So this is one of the reasons’ why they don’t want to rebuild. They think it’ll hurt the attendance and season ticket holders, which is blasphemy because even after post MJ, they filled up the seats still. The fanbase constantly gets emotionally abused by Jerry and it shows.
Trade LaVine to the Pistons and get a PF!
I would have so much more faith in Patrick Williams if he were ever playing his natural position. As a PF he’s just a constant injury risk from competing with bigger, stronger guys.
Another story of the Bulls org putting young players in unfavorable roles and just expecting them to figure it out. They did almost the exact same crap with Lauri (treating him like a weaker Bertans), and Dunn (consistently rotating him all over the place and forcing him into creating way more of his own shots than necessary).
Would not give up on Williams. Only 22 years old. You’re correct. With DeRozan playing the small forward spot, Williams has to be a power forward.
as you say not his position. DeRozan is in the final year of his contract. Maybe next season, Williams will move into the small forward spot. The Bulls way underestimated Markkanen.
Yeah, not giving up on him. His actions and rate stats all speak to his untapped potential still. But he’s not going to find it in Chicago, imo.
Then again, Coby White did, so maybe there’s hope if Reinsdorf finally gives up on another ring before he shuffles off this mortal coil.