Chicago Bulls (Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports)
Since enduring a wrist injury back in October, Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams has been on the comeback tour.
The Bulls have surely missed Williams since losing him, and especially lately. Chicago has been reeling, it seems, falling pretty far from once holding the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
Williams’ absence has forced head coach Billy Donovan to be creative with his lineups, but the health of his replacements have also been sporadic. Seeing Javonte Green, Derrick Jones Jr., Tristan Thompson and even Alex Caruso, at one point fill in, has been difficult.
The Bulls need Williams back in his starting four role, and that time has finally appeared on the horizon.
The Chicago Bulls assigned Patrick Williams to the Windy City Bulls, meaning he will be back very soon.
The Bulls have currently lost five of seven games, with wins over the Cleveland Cavaliers and Detroit Pistons.
What has been abundantly clear, over the past couple of weeks, is the fact that one-time MVP candidate DeMar DeRozan has been absolutely exhausted. The Bulls, at one point, were riding DeRozan’s incredible performances day-in and day-out.
But, as of late, it’s been obvious that DeRozan has been a bit off. He’s no longer shooting over 50 percent each night, and is missing some of those infamous mid-range jumpers we’re used to seeing him knock down.
The point is, the Bulls need all the help they can get, especially at Williams’ position. They need the versatility and the defense which, in turn, creates easier offense for a guy like DeRozan. Of course, it would help to have Lonzo Ball back as well and, once he’s back, it will make a playoff run that much easier.
Once Williams returns, having a bench group of Green, Jones, Caruso, Thompson and Coby White is going to help immensely. Just being able to have that one more spot open up will do wonders for this group. And again, when Ball is back, the Bulls can go 11 deep in the playoffs.