Chicago Bulls Criticized for Patrick Williams' Contract
The Chicago Bulls are facing criticism for their decision to sign Patrick Williams to a $90 million contract. CBS Sports' Sam Quinn recently ranked the league's 15 worst contracts, with the Bulls at No. 8 due to Williams' upcoming $54 million over the next three years.
"The Bulls paid Patrick Williams $90 million because they drafted him No. 4 overall. That's it. He has very impressive physical tools that have never manifested into consistent, winning basketball," Quinn explained. "He's a minimum-level player at this point who'd probably get slightly more than that on the open market for upside alone, but he's making more than the mid-level exception. The lesson: don't compound your mistakes. The Bulls made a bad pick and compounded it with a worse contract."
The Bulls made Williams an instant starter as a rookie in 2020-2021, but he has struggled to live up to expectations. In his third season, Williams had a career-year in scoring with 10.2 points per game, on 46.4% shooting. However, he has slowly regressed over time, averaging 7.0 points per game and shooting 37.2% from the field in the 2025-2026 season.
The Bulls are certainly going to have Williams as one of the many members on their trade block this season. Since his contract pops up on a list like this, you can bet that teams are going to ask for draft compensation to be attached to deals in order to take him off their hands.
What Happened to Patrick Williams?
Patrick Williams' NBA career has been marked by inconsistency. He started well as a rookie, averaging 9.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 71 games. However, he struggled with injuries in his second season, playing in only 17 games. In his third season, Williams had a career-year in scoring, but he has since regressed, averaging 7.0 points per game and shooting 37.2% from the field.
Why it Matters for Chicago Bulls
The Bulls' decision to sign Williams to a $90 million contract is a major concern for the team's front office. With the team in a rebuilding situation, the Bulls simply can't have long-term contracts on the books that are considered overpays. The Bulls will have to navigate the challenge of moving Williams, who has struggled to live up to expectations.
What Comes Next?
The Bulls are likely to have Williams as one of the many members on their trade block this season. Since his contract pops up on a list like this, you can bet that teams are going to ask for draft compensation to be attached to deals in order to take him off their hands. The Bulls will have to decide whether to move Williams or try to make the most of his remaining contract.
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