The Chicago Bulls select forward Patrick Williams #4 overall.

[chicago paxsons]

It's hilarious to see everyone brag about switchability when no one else in the lineup can switch with him. So they'll pick and roll Lowry and Siakam, PWill switches onto Lowry and then Siakam destroys Coby.

Even so, we don't know how many of our players will be still be here in the next season or so. The roster might look very different very soon and his switchability might compliment the incoming players.

[Future Coach]

So he just turned 19 on August 26th. Is he the youngest in the draft? Looks like he is at least youngest in lotto.

2nd youngest in the draft I believe, and that is a main factor in this pick I assume.

He is already athletically capable at his young age, but he clearly needs development as far as specific skill-sets (shooting, ball handling, etc). And I am hopeful he can improve that while relying on defense, rebounding, and cutting to start (ala Deng, Butler, etc) - but it is certainly no sure thing that he improves in such a way. Hopefully the Bulls recent coaching staff changes make sure that happens, but past/recent Bulls' coaching staffs I would have very limited confidence in that sufficiently occurring.


I also agree with the sentiment that that Bulls could have traded back a few picks (picking up some assets doing so) & got the same player, but unfortunately I was not involved in such discussions

[Ugly Duckling]

I like the pick. Hawks are gonna be tough man. What a pick by Travis. Same with the Celtics. Ainge returning to form

[DuckIII]

I. Don’t. Understand.

I liked his live interview though.

[fleet]

We need a poll, is he a wing, a 4, or the rare combo f?

Have to admit I like the pick less if he's a 4.

If this was only 7 months ago I feel much better about him as a prospect. He looks way more fluid and skilled than any of the game tape I’ve seen. It’s only a workout so I still have high skepticism but it’s a bit less quizzical. Go find a legit playmaker and perhaps all isn’t lost.

FSU used him as a role player. Does not mean he can't do things outside of that role. His attitude is **** ing phenomenal if you ask me. He never complained or acted entitled for a larger role. And he had a case if he went there too. Team guy all the way.

Sent from my moto g(6) (XT1925DL) using RealGM mobile app

He’ll guard big wings and help side in the paint. Takes up the slack from Lauri and Zach. Which is as far as the declination of positions goes these days. Defined on defense. He’s got work to do finding his role on offense.

Williams
Lauri
WCJ
White
Zach

Lineup needs playmaker help. Too early in his career for that. But as a rim runner, garbage man open 3 guy, he might be able to handle that off the bench right now.

[cjbulls]

It's hilarious to see everyone brag about switchability when no one else in the lineup can switch with him. So they'll pick and roll Lowry and Siakam, PWill switches onto Lowry and then Siakam destroys Coby.

Uhm, I don’t think that’s how it works. Lol. Did Toronto keep switching Siakam onto Kemba?

The important thing is Coby, Sato and Arci will not be playing SF.

Then tell me how it works because the idea of a switch is to exploit a mismatch. It works well on teams with interchangeable defenders, but when you only have one you can be exposed by almost every team out there. I guess it’s a good thing we kept WCJ to bail us out on the days he doesn’t foul out.

[RedBulls23]

I don't get the "they should have traded down" arguments I've seen being made. By all reports, Pistons wanted him at 7. You don't chance trading down further and miss out on your guy.

Also, ATL and CLE likely isn't interested in trading up when they can just draft their guys at 5 and 6 respectively.

[weneeda2guard]

It's why I'm saying if he works than these guys look like geniuses but if he bust we won't hear the end of it. Just not the way you want to start this new regime.

You've just described what will happen to every FO that picked in the lottery. In the end, projected range is a crapshoot, even more in this lousy draft.

No that will not happen to every front office. Because what's unique here is a guy who pretty much pops out of nowhere and draft stock rises to 4th in a little over a week? And we take the guy? The rest of these guys been on the mock drafts and their is a reason we got one of the lower grades for the draft.

Again if it works cool but if it doesn't cant look at it like well its all a crap shoot. Mainly because he was a surprise rise in the draft and it was high risk taking him that high and everyone admits that.

[Simpleton]

If they really wanted Williams there was no trading down for him, supposedly the Pistons and Spurs were both actually looking to move up for him, so there's no way we could've moved down beyond 5 or 6.

The real move would've been trading down to 8 with the Knicks hot for Toppin and then taking Avdija, but if the organization fell in love with Williams so be it.

[Chi town]

It's puzzling to me how everyone has been misunderstanding "small ball" for so many years now, perceiving it as some sort of advantage or goal. It's a compromise so you can play fast. Williams seems plenty, plenty fast to play SF to me (and big enough to play PF). You actually want to play "big ball" whenever you can. If you have an athlete like a Kawhi, Lebron, PG etc, which possibly Williams could be (not suggesting that caliber of player but possibly as an athlete and defender), you play them at SF.

This. Well said.

[Dan Z]

Read on Twitter

[Leslie Forman]

Has a bench player ever been drafted in the top 5 before?

Marvin Williams. There are a lot of similarities actually.

Did Corey Maggetti come off the bench? Who am I thinking of...

Yeah. But he was drafted much later than top-5.

And he was the freshman on an insane Duke team. No shame in coming off that bench.

[StunnerKO]

Pre-Draft Analysis
Strengths
- Has an ideal physical profile for a forward at 6-foot-8, 225 pounds, with a wingspan around 7-foot. Length and athleticism to defender smaller players, plus a powerful frame that should allow him to switch onto big men.
- Showed some flashes of touch shooting off the dribble from midrange, as well as stepping into spot-up 3-pointers confidently. Hit 84% of his free throw attempts.
- Second-youngest player in this draft class. Somewhat of a late bloomer who appears to have considerable upside.

Improvement areas
- Raw offensive player. One of the least prolific scorers among projected first-round picks, and he wasn't particularly efficient relative to his role.
- Game moves a little too quickly for him at times. Posted the third-worst assist-to-turnover ratio among projected draft picks who aren't big men.
- Intensity level and effectiveness defensively come and go.

Projected role: 3-and-D combo forward

--Jonathan Givony

Post-Draft Analysis
Williams was the big winner of the pre-draft process, rocketing up draft boards thanks to his combination of ideal physical tools, multipositional defensive versatility and budding skill as a shot-maker and passer.

The brand-new front office and coaching staff in Chicago picked a player who has huge upside to grow into at a position of need, signaling their faith in both the existing roster as well as their player development staff.

For the new Bulls regime, it makes sense to take a patient approach in studying the existing pieces in place first and evaluate where changes need to be made before electing to make significant moves. -- Jonathan Givony

[Dan Z]

AK said that they didn't seriously consider trading up.

He mentioned Patrick Williams ball handling ability and pointed out that Williams played PG in high school. AK added that Williams can play 1-5 and mentioned his versatility many times.

Also, he said our 2nd round pick will be stashed for at least a year.

One more thing: He said that "our roster spots are limited". It doesn't sound like they'll do much in free agency.

[FriedRise]

Read on Twitter

[Fastbrk4brkfast]

We need a poll, is he a wing, a 4, or the rare combo f?

Have to admit I like the pick less if he's a 4.

FSU used him as a role player. Does not mean he can't do things outside of that role. His attitude is **** ing phenomenal if you ask me. He never complained or acted entitled for a larger role. And he had a case if he went there too. Team guy all the way.

Sent from my moto g(6) (XT1925DL) using RealGM mobile app

He’ll guard big wings and help side in the paint. Takes up the slack from Lauri and Zach. Which is as far as the declination of positions goes these days. Defined on defense. He’s got work to do finding his role on offense.

Williams
Lauri
WCJ
White
Zach

Lineup needs playmaker help. Too early in his career for that. But as a rim runner, garbage man open 3 guy, he might be able to handle that off the bench right now.

Offensively he's already a lot to handle when he catches on the baseline. That's a decent start. He's also got decent vision. Throws a lob as well as he finishes it. Florida St used him a lot to catch in the paint and then hit the big at the rim.

[othawhitemeat]

Tyrus Thomas all over again

No as this guy is humble and has bball IQ. Im a little worried he might be a reach but maybe he is that rare hustle defender that can get some O. We will see for sure.

[johnnyvann840]

Read on Twitter

Bingo

[Axolotl]

1. Hire a coach who can develop players.
2. Draft a project.

There were no players I was excited about in this draft, so I'm fine with this outcome.

[kingkirk]

Tyrus Thomas all over again

If Tyrus Thomas had his head on like Patrick Williams then Tyrus would have been a very good player.