The Chicago Bulls select forward Patrick Williams #4 overall.

[Am2626]

This is what I'm expecting of Patrick Williams: Extremely efficient star role player along with our high powered shooters. A perfect compliment.

Luol Deng floor- Kawhi Leonard ceiling

These are some numbers I came up with based on some arbitrary formula that made sense to me.

Year 1 - 23.3 Min- 12.2 PPG- 6.2 REB- 2.6 Assist- 1.4 STL- .6 BLK- 47.9% FG- 36.0% 3PT- 79.7% FT
Year 2 - 24.0 Min- 14.6 PPG- 6.6 REB- 2.7 Assist- 1.4 STL- .7 BLK- 48.5% FG- 36.6% 3PT- 81.5% FT
Year 3 - 29.1 Min- 15.2 PPG- 6.9 REB- 3.1 Assist- 1.4 STL- .7 BLK- 49.8% FG- 37.1% 3PT- 83.2% FT
Year 4 - 31.2 Min- 17.5 PPG- 7.1 REB- 3.2 Assist- 1.6 STL- .8 BLK- 50.3% FG- 37.3% 3PT- 83.8% FT
Year 5 - 31.8 Min- 17.7 PPG- 7.3 REB- 4.3 Assist- 1.7 STL- .9 BLK- 51.9% FG- 41.4% 3PT- 85.1% FT

Would you be happy with this projection?

If you have:

(1) everyone agrees this is a bad draft
and
(2) Patrick Williams is a prospect in the 4-14 range

You cannot have a Deng Floor/Kawhi ceiling. That floor/ceiling is a unanimous #1 pick.

I don't think it's a bad draft. I think that opinion is relative to those that judge based on star availability. Nothings wrong with that.

I just think the draft was incredibly deep in regards to starters and roll players.

I think you can have a Deng floor - Kawhi ceiling and not be a unanimous #1 pick. That's because you always hear about his potential and his probability of improvement - So many speak so highly of his work ethic, so if you believe in that, those projections make sense.

But you'd waffle if the probability isn't high numerically.

I'm not sure a lot of teams even got to see him work out. I'm stuck wondering why Pat is STILL mum on who he worked out for. Maybe AK kept him tucked so no one else would see this floor and ceiling? I dunno.

I don’t know how anyone can think that this guy’s floor is already Deng. Deng was a 2 time All Star. The reality is that Williams is raw and a big unknown at this point. Not upset that he is the Bulls pick but taking him at number 4 is a reach. He was projected 7-10 on pretty much every mock draft board.

[Southpaw]

Man I am loving these new highlights. He looks so much more fluid as a player. Better handles, better release, finish with both hands, etc.

It’ll take him 2-3 years to build his game more, but I am really changing my mind. This plus his defense + athleticism.

Watch on YouTube

He showed much better handles here. Also, I noticed he uses his left hand a lot, even for finishing at the rim. That would be good for his offense for sure. And again, his mid range is money.

[RedBulls23]

We just recorded a new pod this morning talking about the new draft picks. Figured I'd share it here as well.

Read on Twitter

[cjbulls]

Just wondering if the immediate and toxic reaction to AK is simply a habit/character-trait of Bulls fans, that being to bitch and moan at anything and everything this team does. I guess that years of GarPax will do that. But I just don't dig the negativity. Been following this team since the Dick Motta days, and been through the ups and downs over the decades, so it's just kind of funny how some thought AK should turn a 22 win team into a champion in one draft and one free agency. Jeez, maybe let the team play a game or 20?

only one poster is doing that really. There are some skeptics but that is to be expected.

What you remain clueless about is you can like the player, but recognize the reach. I like Patrick as a nice, future core player. He certainly has that potential and fits a lot of the qualities that I like.

But he’s a poor use of a #4 pick, and where presumably they won’t be picking again anytime soon. This team is built to be middling at this point and are out of star chances unless they want to go the free agency route. But hey, now that we have the next Kawhi Leonard I guess I’m just overreacting.

[JohnnyTapwater]

If you have:

(1) everyone agrees this is a bad draft
and
(2) Patrick Williams is a prospect in the 4-14 range

You cannot have a Deng Floor/Kawhi ceiling. That floor/ceiling is a unanimous #1 pick.

I don't think it's a bad draft. I think that opinion is relative to those that judge based on star availability. Nothings wrong with that.

I just think the draft was incredibly deep in regards to starters and roll players.

I think you can have a Deng floor - Kawhi ceiling and not be a unanimous #1 pick. That's because you always hear about his potential and his probability of improvement - So many speak so highly of his work ethic, so if you believe in that, those projections make sense.

But you'd waffle if the probability isn't high numerically.

I'm not sure a lot of teams even got to see him work out. I'm stuck wondering why Pat is STILL mum on who he worked out for. Maybe AK kept him tucked so no one else would see this floor and ceiling? I dunno.

I don’t know how anyone can think that this guy’s floor is already Deng. Deng was a 2 time All Star. The reality is that Williams is raw and a big unknown at this point. Not upset that he is the Bulls pick but taking him at number 4 is a reach. He was projected 7-10 on pretty much every mock draft board.

I didn't say his floor is ALREADY Deng. I'm saying once established the worst his best can be is Deng - that's his floor. - The best, his best can be is Kawhi.

It's all up to how his development is handled.

Making 2 All Stars isn't a prerequisite to being compared to Deng considering how team success has a lot to do with why he made it those years.

He moves better than him, and I think he will bring some of the same things Luol brought. Defense, reliability. I think Billy will allow him to thrive in the midrange, he can hit 3's.

I'm seeing it.

[sco]

I will be surprised if he is getting more than 20 MPG to start the season, but will be optimistic that he ends the season getting 26 MPG to end the season. It's gonna be his defense that gets him on the floor and his offense that gets him more than 20 MPG.

[SfBull]

I don't know if someone posted this as we have many pages here ( and I couldn't read it all as I wanted) but this game is a good showing about Patrick Williams

Watch on YouTube

[Michael Jackson]

he's got something you see less of, just a nice easy jumper. Very old school

He is strong like jimmy is and rose. He keeps his balance thru contact on all his video. He has none of that Snell getting bumped off target on his shots. I am not saying he is any of theses players.

I just see the ability to play thru contact and I value it.

Me too I am impressed with his body control and love him bumping of a body for his step back. That’s a good NBA move it translates. Look this is a bad draft and no generational players anywhere near this draft imho... this isn’t a bad pick and if he out performs everyone else behind him, he wasn’t a reach he was just scouted well. Me thinks they wanted him because he fits what they want to do so if he is your target... you get him. You don’t let someone else draft him.

He looks like a NBA playe and in this draft that’s about what you are going to get.

[CjayC]

I don't know if someone posted this as we have many pages here ( and I couldn't read it all as I wanted) but this game is a good showing about Patrick Williams

Watch on YouTube

It's odd to me. Something about how he moves without the ball, betrays how he looks with the ball in those workout clips. He doesn't look unathletic, but something about him seems lumbering and rigid in that Tyrus Thomas sense. I guess we'll see what it all looks like in a couple of weeks.

[IcemanGervin]

If nothing else , that one handed pull up push jump shot move PWill has is definitely Kawhi-like/inspired.

[TheHrvReport]

I will be surprised if he is getting more than 20 MPG to start the season, but will be optimistic that he ends the season getting 26 MPG to end the season. It's gonna be his defense that gets him on the floor and his offense that gets him more than 20 MPG.

Agreed. 20 MPG seems likely unless Otto goes down again then he will likely get around 25 MPG. I just hope people curb their expectations on him as he is probably still 2 years away from being able to play starter minutes and being a net positive player.

[Indomitable]

Just wondering if the immediate and toxic reaction to AK is simply a habit/character-trait of Bulls fans, that being to bitch and moan at anything and everything this team does. I guess that years of GarPax will do that. But I just don't dig the negativity. Been following this team since the Dick Motta days, and been through the ups and downs over the decades, so it's just kind of funny how some thought AK should turn a 22 win team into a champion in one draft and one free agency. Jeez, maybe let the team play a game or 20?

only one poster is doing that really. There are some skeptics but that is to be expected.

What you remain clueless about is you can like the player, but recognize the reach. I like Patrick as a nice, future core player. He certainly has that potential and fits a lot of the qualities that I like.

But he’s a poor use of a #4 pick, and where presumably they won’t be picking again anytime soon. This team is built to be middling at this point and are out of star chances unless they want to go the free agency route. But hey, now that we have the next Kawhi Leonard I guess I’m just overreacting.

So I disagree and believe you are overstating something. Therefore I am the one without a clue. Seriously?

You have an opinion and most people disagree. You are entitled to it. But people are not clueless because they disagree.

You threw a bunch of unrealistic trades out there and acted like it was fact. Most rumors are nonsense.

Obviously the Bulls valued Pat more then you do. Most people are open to it.

People are allowed to disagree with you. It is called a difference of opinion.

[kulaz3000]

I will be surprised if he is getting more than 20 MPG to start the season, but will be optimistic that he ends the season getting 26 MPG to end the season. It's gonna be his defense that gets him on the floor and his offense that gets him more than 20 MPG.

Agreed. 20 MPG seems likely unless Otto goes down again then he will likely get around 25 MPG. I just hope people curb their expectations on him as he is probably still 2 years away from being able to play starter minutes and being a net positive player.

I think you both are being overly optimistic.

20 MPG is roughly about the minutes that a first, second player off the bench gets. He is 19 years old, he is likely to get 10 minutes or less his rookie season, and I'm totally okay with that.

[johnnyvann840]

I will be surprised if he is getting more than 20 MPG to start the season, but will be optimistic that he ends the season getting 26 MPG to end the season. It's gonna be his defense that gets him on the floor and his offense that gets him more than 20 MPG.

Agreed. 20 MPG seems likely unless Otto goes down again then he will likely get around 25 MPG. I just hope people curb their expectations on him as he is probably still 2 years away from being able to play starter minutes and being a net positive player.

I think you both are being overly optimistic.

20 MPG is roughly about the minutes that a first, second player off the bench gets. He is 19 years old, he is likely to get 10 minutes or less his rookie season, and I'm totally okay with that.

Yes, people have to temper their year one expectations. It's extremely rare for a 19 year old to come into the NBA and not struggle some. I expect Pat Will to take a couple of years to get to the point where he can play big minutes and really contribute. This first season it's likely he will struggle a bit with his 3 pt shot (even good shooters in college rarely come into the NBA and shoot high %R right off the bat). He will also take time to learn the Bulls offense and defensive schemes. Especially without a summer or a full camp to get acclimated. It is going to really tough for this year's rookie crop to get up to NBA speed.

[sco]

Agreed. 20 MPG seems likely unless Otto goes down again then he will likely get around 25 MPG. I just hope people curb their expectations on him as he is probably still 2 years away from being able to play starter minutes and being a net positive player.

I think you both are being overly optimistic.

20 MPG is roughly about the minutes that a first, second player off the bench gets. He is 19 years old, he is likely to get 10 minutes or less his rookie season, and I'm totally okay with that.

Yes, people have to temper their year one expectations. It's extremely rare for a 19 year old to come into the NBA and not struggle some. I expect Pat Will to take a couple of years to get to the point where he can play big minutes and really contribute. This first season it's likely he will struggle a bit with his 3 pt shot (even good shooters in college rarely come into the NBA and shoot high %R right off the bat). He will also take time to learn the Bulls offense and defensive schemes. Especially without a summer or a full camp to get acclimated. It is going to really tough for this year's rookie crop to get up to NBA speed.

I think the FO will feel a little pressure to develop him, especially this season when the Bulls could be out of the playoff race by midseason. If they are, I think they'll trade one or both of Otto and Lauri, and he'll get plenty of run. If they're in the playoff hunt, I agree, he'd play less.

[davhern]

Just wondering if the immediate and toxic reaction to AK is simply a habit/character-trait of Bulls fans, that being to bitch and moan at anything and everything this team does. I guess that years of GarPax will do that. But I just don't dig the negativity. Been following this team since the Dick Motta days, and been through the ups and downs over the decades, so it's just kind of funny how some thought AK should turn a 22 win team into a champion in one draft and one free agency. Jeez, maybe let the team play a game or 20?

only one poster is doing that really. There are some skeptics but that is to be expected.

What you remain clueless about is you can like the player, but recognize the reach. I like Patrick as a nice, future core player. He certainly has that potential and fits a lot of the qualities that I like.

But he’s a poor use of a #4 pick, and where presumably they won’t be picking again anytime soon. This team is built to be middling at this point and are out of star chances unless they want to go the free agency route. But hey, now that we have the next Kawhi Leonard I guess I’m just overreacting.

who was the guy who in your mind would have been worthy of a #4 pick in this draft?

[kulaz3000]

I think you both are being overly optimistic.

20 MPG is roughly about the minutes that a first, second player off the bench gets. He is 19 years old, he is likely to get 10 minutes or less his rookie season, and I'm totally okay with that.

Yes, people have to temper their year one expectations. It's extremely rare for a 19 year old to come into the NBA and not struggle some. I expect Pat Will to take a couple of years to get to the point where he can play big minutes and really contribute. This first season it's likely he will struggle a bit with his 3 pt shot (even good shooters in college rarely come into the NBA and shoot high %R right off the bat). He will also take time to learn the Bulls offense and defensive schemes. Especially without a summer or a full camp to get acclimated. It is going to really tough for this year's rookie crop to get up to NBA speed.

I think the FO will feel a little pressure to develop him, especially this season when the Bulls could be out of the playoff race by midseason. If they are, I think they'll trade one or both of Otto and Lauri, and he'll get plenty of run. If they're in the playoff hunt, I agree, he'd play less.

Force feeding a young player minutes when they aren't ready can be more of a negative than positive. It can go both ways.

I will say this though, Billy has proven that he is great at handling young players and developing them, so I'll see how Pat is used his rookie season, but I'd be surprised if he goes beyond the 8-12 minutes per game mark - PLEASANTLY surprised.

[sco]

Yes, people have to temper their year one expectations. It's extremely rare for a 19 year old to come into the NBA and not struggle some. I expect Pat Will to take a couple of years to get to the point where he can play big minutes and really contribute. This first season it's likely he will struggle a bit with his 3 pt shot (even good shooters in college rarely come into the NBA and shoot high %R right off the bat). He will also take time to learn the Bulls offense and defensive schemes. Especially without a summer or a full camp to get acclimated. It is going to really tough for this year's rookie crop to get up to NBA speed.

I think the FO will feel a little pressure to develop him, especially this season when the Bulls could be out of the playoff race by midseason. If they are, I think they'll trade one or both of Otto and Lauri, and he'll get plenty of run. If they're in the playoff hunt, I agree, he'd play less.

Force feeding a young player minutes when they aren't ready can be more of a negative than positive. It can go both ways.

I will say this though, Billy has proven that he is great at handling young players and developing them, so I'll see how Pat is used his rookie season, but I'd be surprised if he goes beyond the 8-12 minutes per game mark - PLEASANTLY surprised.

I'm with you 100%, but this board went nuts with a lesser player in Coby playing ONLY 22 MPG to start last season.

[gobullschi]

only one poster is doing that really. There are some skeptics but that is to be expected.

What you remain clueless about is you can like the player, but recognize the reach. I like Patrick as a nice, future core player. He certainly has that potential and fits a lot of the qualities that I like.

But he’s a poor use of a #4 pick, and where presumably they won’t be picking again anytime soon. This team is built to be middling at this point and are out of star chances unless they want to go the free agency route. But hey, now that we have the next Kawhi Leonard I guess I’m just overreacting.

who was the guy who in your mind would have been worthy of a #4 pick in this draft?

I can answer that for him... Poku

[cjbulls]

only one poster is doing that really. There are some skeptics but that is to be expected.

What you remain clueless about is you can like the player, but recognize the reach. I like Patrick as a nice, future core player. He certainly has that potential and fits a lot of the qualities that I like.

But he’s a poor use of a #4 pick, and where presumably they won’t be picking again anytime soon. This team is built to be middling at this point and are out of star chances unless they want to go the free agency route. But hey, now that we have the next Kawhi Leonard I guess I’m just overreacting.

So I disagree and believe you are overstating something. Therefore I am the one without a clue. Seriously?

You have an opinion and most people disagree. You are entitled to it. But people are not clueless because they disagree.

You threw a bunch of unrealistic trades out there and acted like it was fact. Most rumors are nonsense.

Obviously the Bulls valued Pat more then you do. Most people are open to it.

People are allowed to disagree with you. It is called a difference of opinion.

Who said you weren’t allowed to disagree?

And what is unrealistic about these? I didn’t guarantee any of them would have happened, just said these were better options, backed by intel:

1. WCJ + 4 for 2. This was literally the talk of draft morning
2. WCJ + 4 for 3. Charlotte was said to think about passing on Ball because they needed a center. We have a ready made center and they only drop one spot.
3. Entertain any mix of players on the roster but no FRPs (other than #4) to trade up - the one thing we know for sure is that Minny and GS were entertaining move down for players that could help them now
4. Trade for Detroit 7/16. This is all but guaranteed. In fact most posters have already said you couldn’t trade down because Detroit wanted him. Detroit talked to Charlotte about moving ahead of the Bulls, what do you think their offer was?

So you can tell me we don’t “know” and I’ll grant you that. But to act like this was just some random idea based on nothing is sidestepping the discussion