INDIANAPOLIS — Patrick Williams got himself into this situation, and now he needs to get himself out.
That was the general message from Bulls coach Billy Donovan on Monday when discussing how to handle the enigmatic power forward.
“We had a good talk the other day,’’ Donovan said. “I think he has a lot of belief and confidence in himself, which I was happy to hear. He’s taking a lot of responsibility and ownership that he has to figure this out. He has to figure out how he can be more involved, taking advantage of his opportunities.’’
There’s a fine line in all of this, however.
Donovan wants Williams, the fourth overall pick from the 2020 draft, to develop with the starters, but this is also the NBA. The developmental league is located in Hoffman Estates. Donovan can’t spend too much time developing Williams at the cost of winning games.
So what does that mean?
For now, Williams remains in the starting lineup, but he also saw a lot of bench time in the second half of the games against the Raptors and Pistons.
Message received.
“I think he knows; certainly he hasn’t played a lot in the second half the last two games,’’ Donovan said. “The one thing he has total control over is his athletic impact on the game.’’
In Williams’ first nine-minute stretch in the Bulls’ 112-105 victory against the Pacers, he scored two points and grabbed two rebounds. Donovan has been stressing hitting the boards and running the lane more often.
“I don’t think there’s anything with Patrick that’s, ‘Hey, just wait on me,’ ’’ Donovan said. “He wants to help the team, but he also knows he needs to figure it out on his end.’’
That’s especially the case in a season that is so important for the former Florida State standout. The Bulls could have extended Williams before the start of the season, but they let the deadline run out, opting to make him a restricted free agent at the end of the season and letting the market set the price.
The Bulls will have the final say, either matching the best offer or letting him walk.
Williams said he wasn’t bothered with their decision then, and he wasn’t bothered by it a week later with everything settling in.
“I’m not thinking about contracts at all, to be honest,’’ he said. “I’m thinking about winning, trying to find a rhythm.’’
Windy departure
The organization announced that Dalen Terry was sent to the Windy City Bulls with G League training camp starting.
Terry, who was selected 18th overall in the 2022 draft, did not earn a rotation spot out of training camp and wasn’t getting much playing time. The fact that the Bulls didn’t have a lot of practice time scheduled on this road trip also factored in.
“Him playing five-on-five in [Windy City’s] training camp is good for his development,’’ Donovan said.
High praise
Veteran Torrey Craig has been the outside threat the Bulls were hoping for when they signed him in free agency last summer and also one of their better offensive rebounders. Pacers coach Rick Carlisle pointed that out, and Donovan agreed.
“Yeah, he’s just got a natural instinct, and he goes all the time,’’ Donovan said. “He’s really active. He’s got a great nose for the ball.’’
