Patrick Williams is staring down a critical juncture in Chicago, and the stakes couldn’t be clearer. His recent play has been poor, hitting a real low point during the 2025-26 season. Per Pippen Ain’t Easy, Williams averaged only seven points and shot just 37.2% from the floor during that stretch. He still has three years left on his deal at $18 million annually, and that includes a player option. That’s a heavy load to carry when your value is dropping.
The Essengue delay helps Williams
The arrival of Noa Essengue was supposed to change the wing depth. But the timeline has shifted. Essengue missed his rookie season due to a shoulder injury. This delay acts as a safety net for Williams. He doesn’t have to fight for minutes against a ready newcomer right now. The Bulls need to see what they have in their current rotation before they plan for 2026-27. This season is a make-or-break moment for him.
It’s a simple reality: without a healthy rookie pushing him, Williams buys himself time.
No immediate replacement in the rotation
The Bulls don’t have another athletic wing to plug in. The current bench plan likely uses Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Jalen Smith, and Zach Collins. Even players like Dailyn Swain and Rob Dillingham are in the mix. Essengue isn’t ready to jump into that group yet. According to Pippen Ain’t Easy, Essengue looked awkward in Summer League. He averaged 6.5 points on 43.8% shooting across four games in Las Vegas. He needs time to grow into his frame. Can the front office afford to wait on a rookie who averaged less than seven points in his only taste of pro action?
The high cost of moving the contract
Moving Williams isn’t an easy task for the front office. The contract is too large to move without giving up significant draft picks. The team needs him to be a real part of the rotation. He has the tools, but the effort and shooting have been inconsistent. As long as Essengue isn’t ready to take over, Williams has a window to justify his $18 million salary. The math doesn’t work if you trade him for less than he’s worth right now.
