Patrick Williams considered the team's weakest link in the starting five

Patrick Williams still has a lot of work to do.

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While it may be unfair to criticize any NBA starter, it's almost impossible for a starting five not to have a weak link. Even the mighty Chicago Bulls of the 90s had some chinks in the armor of their starting fives. That being said, a report designated young forward Patrick Williams as this Bulls squad's weakest link.

Still waiting for that leap

At this point of Williams' career, the Bulls would be content with the forward making even a hop rather than that crucial leap that fans and analysts alike have been waiting for. A promising rookie campaign was followed by an injury-ravaged sophomore season that limited him to just 17 games. He came back and played all 82 games this past season and recorded 10.2 points, 4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game. The numbers were solid, but they definitely did not help take the team to another level.

Lack of other contributions

Andy Bailey wrote that while there are things that Williams brings to the table for the Bulls, the lack of supporting stats is troubling, especially for a player who has been given plenty of opportunities.

"He's a solid three-point shooter (at 41.4 percent for his career) and should be able to guard multiple positions, but the lack of ancillary contributions is at least a little troubling," Bailey wrote.

Playing with the Bulls' talented "Big 3" of Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Nikola Vucevic has also not done Williams any favors.

"Williams is a cog in a lineup that features plenty of talent," Bailey said. "Perhaps if Williams can develop into a gap-filler who improves the fit between everyone else, he can shake this designation."

Found a few more clips of Patrick Williams this summer. The handle is definitely tighter than last year.

🎥: @swishcultures_ pic.twitter.com/wEfrksQ0Ut

— the bulls are poverty. (@BullsGhost1) July 26, 2023