Longtime NBA insider believes Patrick Williams remains a "big mystery" for the Chicago Bulls

It’s make-or-break time for the Bulls prospect.

© Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

With the Chicago Bulls running it back for another season, one pressing question begs to be asked: what will happen with promising forward Patrick Williams? The fourth pick of the 2020 NBA Draft from Charlotte, North Carolina, has achieved significant progress with his development and confidence.

After a sluggish start to the season, the Florida State product got it going, eventually playing in all 82 games. He averaged 10.2 points and 4 rebounds, and even shot an astounding 41 percent from beyond the arc this past season. He was bumped to the bench late in the regular season to accommodate the backcourt of Patrick Beverley and Alex Caruso, and still thrived as part of the bench mob.

Now, with Beverley gone and the Bulls acquiring Jevon Carter, longtime Bulls insider Sam Smith stated it's still a mystery what role Williams would have next season.

Mystery player

Smith has covered the Bulls for decades and is quite familiar with the ins and outs of the team. However, even he's wondering what the Bulls want to make of Williams in the 2023-2024 season.

"I agree Williams may be the big mystery player for the upcoming season. He becomes extension eligible and has stated he wants to play wing, so that suggests he may be ready to embrace that assertiveness everyone keeps calling for," Smith wrote.

Committed to Williams

Williams is shaping up to be a solid perimeter player who can play on both ends of the floor. Aside from developing a reliable outside shot, Williams averaged nearly a steal and a block per game during the 2022-2023 season. Smith believes that the Bulls should be committed to giving Williams a chance to prove himself in the upcoming season.

"It's been for me one of the biggest questions for the summer, both to find a point guard and shooting and either or not to make a commitment to Williams, which I believe management wants to do as they've supposedly had him the most hands off in any trade talks," added Smith.

#Bulls F Patrick Williams came through and put on a show for his hometown! 27 PTS 10 REB 2 AST 🔥 Breakout season incoming? 🤔 @ChicagoBulls #nba #chicago pic.twitter.com/OHBuMNGcPm

— Queen City Pro-Am (@QueenCityProAm) July 3, 2023