Patrick Williams does not lack bulletin board material. After signing his five-year, $90.0 million deal this offseason, the scrutiny has consistently leaked from the faucet. Several analysts appear to believe the Chicago Bulls could’ve (1) re-signed the forward for considerably less or (2) let him walk to another team willing to pay that price tag. The Athletic’s John Hollinger is one of those analysts. He included the Williams’ deal in his latest column about the most “under-scrutinized” offseason deals.
“I love the general concept of Chicago pulling the ripcord and going young, even if it came a year too late. On the other hand, Williams got paid because he was the fourth pick in the 2020 draft and because … actually I’m struggling with the rest of this.
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There was definitely a number at which it made sense with Williams, but five years and $90 million with a player option isn’t it. And if another rival wanted to pay him that money … let them. It wasn’t any kind of existential threat to the Bulls.”
I don’t know, can you imagine if the Chicago Bulls actually lost Williams this offseason? While I completely recognize how underwhelming the beginning of his career has been, he remains one of the organization’s most intriguing young players. Finally starting a youth movement only to immediately give up on the former No. 4 overall pick would feel like a pretty big mistake. Again, I can understand the discomfort that comes with an $18.0 million AAV, but I’d rather take that risk now than potentially watch him blossom in another environment. Whether it be Lauri Markkanen or Coby White, we’ve been reminded lately that development isn’t always linear.
Keon Coleman is a certified hooper. The Buffalo Bills social media team asked the players to name random NBA players, and the rookie WR tossed out several former Chicago Bulls. He name-dropped Luol Deng, Carlos Boozer, Tony Snell, and John Lucas. Coleman even threw out University of Illinois favorite, Deron Williams! Get this man to the Bears right now!
- The last thing I want to do is say Isiah Thomas is right … but he’s not necessarily wrong.
- The Jerry Krause hate has been blown way out of proportion, in my opinion. Things obviously came to a head during last year’s Ring of Honor ceremony, which was a legitimate stain on the franchise’s history. Krause may have been stubborn and may have let his ego get in the way of a good thing, but he still played a vital role in building arguably the best dynasty in professional sports history. Things would’ve undoubtedly been different if Krause wasn’t in the front office. Now, do I think Michael Jordan would’ve found a way to get to the NBA Finals without the front office’s help? Sure. He was that good. But it’s not at all crazy to say they don’t walk away with a 6-0 title run without Krause.
- Angel Rese keeps cooking! She became the first player in WNBA history to record 20+ rebounds in back-to-back games. She also became the first rookie to do so in either the WNBA or NBA since Shaq in 1993, per Yahoo Sports.
- Reese gets a lot of hate, and I honestly think it’s ridiculous. What she is doing is incredibly impressive, especially when we consider she’s only a freakin’ rookie! Does she have a lot to work on? Yes. Every first-year player does. But she is establishing herself as one of the best interior players in the WNBA. I can’t wait to see where her career goes from here.
- I’m a Kenny Lofton Jr. believer, but we should probably proceed with caution until he actually makes the 15-man roster.
- Well, I guess I’m getting back into Legos!
