Chicago Bulls: 3 storylines that will come to an apex in final stretch

Chicago Bulls storyline No. 3: Development of Patrick Williams

The Chicago Bulls may be making a playoff push, but they’re still a rebuilding team trying to develop a young core for the future. No player may be more important in that development than 2020 NBA Draft lottery pick Patrick Williams.

Williams was the fourth overall pick in the draft. That comes with the burden of expectations, even for a player that never started a game in college for the Florida State Seminoles.

He has switched to being a full-time starter for the Bulls, not coming off the bench a single time. His numbers don’t leap off the page, but they’re good enough for a 19-year-old rookie. Williams is averaging 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, hitting 38.1 percent of his threes.

There has been some chatter about him hitting the wall recently. Williams scored a total of six points over a three-game stretch from April 9 to April 12, including zero in a loss on the road against Minnesota Timberwolves. Williams wasn’t a major part of the offense in those three games, attempting ten shots while failing to get to the free throw line.

It’s too soon to be overly concerned about Williams following a few bad games. The success of some young players like LaMelo Ball puts those who go through the expected rookie struggles in an unfortunate light.

Still, the Bulls will want to see some signs of progress over the last weeks of the season. Williams is set to be a big part of the franchise’s future, hopefully only bringing good things.