Patrick Williams’ $90 million extension remains a cautionary tale for Chicago’s handling of promising wings, constraining how they price restricted free agents like Giddey and prompting a measured, cost-conscious approach to Terry and other young wings.

Williams is the high-upside 2020 No. 4 pick who struggles to translate rookie-era flashes into consistent offense. Chicago invested five years and $90 million to give him a runway, but Okoro's arrival tightens rotation options. If he expands scoring and remains a knock-down defender, Williams can justify the minutes and wage, potentially increasing trade value as Chicago experiments with lineups around Vucevic.

Williams is discussed as a potential pillar who could benefit from a unicorn-heavy surrounding cast. The dialogue weighs his ceiling, potential max value around 18-20M, and how his development fits into a broader, multi-year plan around Giddey and Okoro.

Williams represents the athletic, developmental piece in Chicago’s core; his trajectory informs whether the Bulls lean veteran-heavy or youth-forward, impacting White and Giddey’s ceiling and the team’s overall upside.

No Bulls cracked HoopsHype's top-26 at small forward, and Patrick Williams became a focal point of debate on his fit as a true 3-and-D wing. The panel argues Williams’ development is central to Chicago’s ascent, highlighting the risk of relying on internal growth while wrestling with the team’s structural gaps in wing defense and outside shooting.