When the season ended, Arturas Karnisovas made it clear that he has no intention of rebuilding the Chicago Bulls. Instead, he plans to run it back and make another playoff push next year. There’s always a chance he changes his mind this summer, but barring that, it seems as though most of last season’s Chicago squad will be back next year.
Obviously, the play of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic will be the most important, but other Bulls will have to step up, too. According to Keith Smith of Spotrac, however, Patrick Williams‘ improvement will also be crucial. The 21-year-old forward could be due for an increased role.
“Of the team’s younger players,” Smith wrote. “Patrick Williams has to have a bigger role next season. He upped his three-point shooting in both volume and percentage. Williams also improved his off-the-dribble game. This season is an opportunity for the team’s veterans to cede even more responsibility towards Williams, as his growth is paramount.”
Williams missed nearly all of his sophomore season due to injury, but even outside of that, he has failed to make significant improvements in his three-year career.
If the Bulls want to take things to the next level, they desperately need him to improve as a shooter and embrace a larger role. At the same time, Chicago needs to allow him room to grow.
The veterans on the roster should make it their mission next season to cultivate Williams’ growth, as the Bulls will only reach their ceiling if he does.
