Few teams in the NBA have as many tough calls to make this offseason as the Chicago Bulls, who have to decide the future direction of their aging team.
Do they try to flip Zach LaVine for whatever they can get? Let DeMar DeRozan go for nothing?
Can they trade Nikola Vucevic? What about Lonzo Ball’s expiring deal?
They also have Patrick Williams, who will be a restricted free agent if the Bulls make him the qualifying offer of $12.9 million.
Williams reportedly turned down an offer of a 4 year/$64 million extension offer before this season according to NBC Sports, a decision he may soon regret.
Chicago Bulls: Will Patrick Williams bet on himself and lost
A $64 million extension seemed like a fair deal for Williams, who has not yet lived up to being the 4th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft but has flashed some signs of being the type of 3-and-D forward that all teams are looking for in the NBA.
Williams probably thought he would blow up this season, up his value and get closer to the $90 million deal he was reportedly seeking.
But he only played 43 games, and while he did flash some signs of progress, still only averaged 10 points and four rebounds per game, which are bench/role player numbers, not a guy you give nearly $100 million to on his second deal. Not to mention the fact that his season ended in surgery and he still has to show he is healthy, so Williams doesn't have much leverage here.
He can hope that some other team with cap space that is desperate to make a move (I’m looking at you, Pistons) will make him a bigger offer than the one the Bulls reportedly already did, but chances are he’s not going to get much more than that QO from anyone.
Would Williams just accept the qualifying offer and bet on himself again? That might not be the worst-case scenario for the Bulls, who could get him on a cheap one-year deal but would then risk losing him next summer as an unrestricted free agent.
The Bulls have indicated their interest in re-signing Williams, but are in a tough spot, as they can’t go too high for a guy who hasn’t proven he can contribute and stay healthy, as they’d be betting on hope rather than evidence.
Williams would probably jump at that same extension offer now, but the Bulls may rightfully be leery to make it, so let’s hope they can work something out that meets in the middle ground so that the Bulls don’t lose him for nothing.