Patrick Williams Eyes Future with Bulls Ahead of NBA Free Agency: 'I Love the Team'

Ahead of his upcoming free agency, Chicago Bulls power forward Patrick Williams said that would love to stay with Chicago if he has the chance, per NBC Sports Chicago's K.C. Johnson.

"I don't think anybody knows what their future is to be honest," Williams said. "I would love to continue to be a Bull. I love it here. I love the opportunity we have to build culture, to build something special with this group and this team. I think I could really be a cornerstone piece for this team. But you never know what the future holds, and I understand it's a business. Like I said, I love it here. I love the team. I love the guys. I love the front office."

Williams, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season. His restricted free-agent status means he can only leave the Bulls if they decide to not match an offer sheet he receives from another club.

Williams, 22, has been a solid contributor for Chicago this year, but his season was derailed by foot surgery that will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign. Before the injury in late January, Williams was averaging 10 points and 3.9 rebounds in 27.3 minutes per game.

According to Johnson, Williams turned down a contract proposal from the Bulls ahead of the season.

The deal was in the ballpark of four years for $64 million with a team option, while Williams was reportedly looking for a contract similar to De'Andre Hunter's four-year, $90 million deal with the Atlanta Hawks.

Williams has shown promise in his young career, but he has dealt with a handful of injuries that could have stunted his progression. In his second season in 2021-22, he played just 17 games due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the season. Now, he's faced another year shortened by injury.

At just 22 years old, he still has plenty of time to turn into the player that the Bulls were looking for when they drafted him in 2020.

A healthy Bulls team could be a real competitor in the East, but injuries have plagued them in recent years. Point guard Lonzo Ball, who joined the team in the 2021-22 season, has missed the last two years with a knee injury. Guard Zach LaVine underwent season-ending surgery earlier this month. Now, Williams adds to the list of injuries.

The Bulls reached the playoffs in the 2021-22 season after pairing star DeMar DeRozan with LaVine, but they missed the postseason last year and are on the fringe of the playoffs standing this season, sitting in ninth place in the East.

Williams expressed his interest in returning and helping Chicago continue to build, and it could mean a bright future for the Bulls. As he waits to see what free agency holds, he'll continue working his way back to the court.

"For now, worry about the surgery and getting back playing and let the chips fall where they may," Williams said. "Nobody has really even talked about contract stuff. It's more so about getting me back healthy, which I appreciate."