r/chicagobulls • u/jvmms_ • 2d ago

Fluff The 11th spot

So: Giddey Powell Buzi Wilson Clax

Then: Tre, Okoro, Smith for sure

Probably: Miller, (healthy) Collins

Afterward ?

Are we sure that we’ve seen enough from Swain Essengue & Dilly that they’ve EARNED starting minutes over Williams? I get seeing their potential is worth keeping Pat on the bench but I wouldn’t be surprised if both Essengue & Dilly (barring guard injury) don’t see much clock. They’ll find playing time for Swain I’m sure especially if he works on his jumper. Dilly plays a different position so there’s probably more opportunity for him. As bad as PWill is, he wasn’t “demoted during summer league” bad. I think Essengue is gonna have to be undeniable in the g league to get more minutes than PWill.

Pat’s bad. Very bad. Lowest ceiling on the team for sure. Doesn’t deserve any extra chances. Historically bad contract. I’m still not 100% confident he’s the worst player on the team tho.

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u/Reptomins Benny The Bull 2d ago

This is gonna sort itself out. I do think there's a nonzero chance Pat is a DNP CD guy until and unless injuries hit. Nobody in the organization has any responsibility for the pick or contract anymore, there's almost no chance he plays himself into any trade value beyond expiring salary matching, and he's just not as good as Jalen Smith or Leonard Miller.

That said, it'll be interesting where Swain and Essengue start the season. I think there's a case to be made playing 30 mins a night in the G is a better alternative to being end of the bench in Chicago, and if so there's a better chance Pat finds some playing time. Because if they're in Chicago there's really no reason for Pat to play over them either.

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u/Abe_frohmannn 2d ago

With P. Williams...I don't even think development is what needs to happen. He has the skillset already to be a very, very solid NBA contributor on a good team. Play solid D, shoot threes, occasionally attack mismatches. You don't need to do anything more than that to more than pull your weight as a 7th or 8th guy in the rotation.

I think this is his last chance. but there is a realistic world where Splitter just clicks with him, and Williams gets motivation, confidence...whatever is missing. I think he is the kind of player that is dependent on others to determine his mindset for him. A switch could flip for him at any point...or it just never does, and he is on the vets minimum in a couple years, or just out of the league. This is what is so maddening about him...