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  "path": "/bulls/2026/03/10/bulls-coach-billy-donovan-stay-positive-patrick-williams",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-11T03:07:49.015Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>SAN FRANCISCO — Bulls coach <b>Billy Donovan</b> does right by his players publicly. So when asked Tuesday if he believes forward <b>Patrick Williams </b>has had a disappointing season, he noted it hasn’t exactly been easy for anyone.</p><p>“Before he got the quad strain [in late February], I thought he was playing pretty well,” Donovan said. “Thinking about the whole entire year, there’s been a lot these guys have gone through. Before the trade deadline, you had seven guys out at one time. I do think it’s been hard for our guys to get into a rhythm and flow with one another.</p><p>“I’m not making excuses for Patrick, but our team, the first 50 games, we had guys in and out.”</p><p>Williams, now in his sixth NBA season, is the longest-tenured player on the team. The Bulls have actively attempted to move him at times since last summer, but no team seems eager to jump on the five-year, $90 million deal the Bulls gave him in June 2024. It’s effectively an immovable contract.</p><p>“He’s turned out to be a really good catch-and-shoot three-point shooter, but one of the things he was getting himself into trouble [with] was putting it down on the floor — traffic, turnovers,” Donovan said. “For him, it’s just a consistency part. He’s shown more consistent signs this year than he has in the past, but I still feel like there’s more there for him. I believe that.”</p><p>Williams did score in double figures four times in February before the quadriceps injury sidelined him. He also had a 10-rebound game — but those should happen more frequently.</p><p>An apparent lack of urgency on both sides of the ball remains an issue. And while he was once seen as a victim of freak injuries, there’s a growing perception that he may just be injury-prone. He was out against the Warriors on Tuesday night with a tweaked ankle after he tried to push through it in a loss to the Kings on Sunday. He scored just five points in that game, with one rebound and three turnovers.</p><p>“I didn’t think he was moving well and talked to him [at the morning shootaround], and I just think with him being out with the quad strain and now dealing with the ankle, it was just better [that] he tries to get himself whole before he comes back,” Donovan said.</p><h3>Sexton back soon</h3><p>Guard <b>Collin Sexton </b>still isn’t recovered from a bruised leg he suffered in the Kings game, but he’s getting close. The Bulls have a day off Wednesday, then play a back-to-back against the Lakers and Clippers on Thursday and Friday. The hope is he can play in at least one of those games.</p><p>Sexton carried the offense in the first four games in March, averaging 25 points. He scored 30 against the Suns last Thursday.</p><h3>Simons still a ways off</h3><p>Veteran guard <b>Anfernee Simons</b> was able to get shots up at the shootaround but is struggling with catching and dribbling as he deals with a small fracture in his left wrist, Donovan said.</p><p>Simons is scheduled to see a hand specialist again after this road trip, at which point the Bulls will know more.</p>",
  "title": "Bulls coach Billy Donovan trying to stay positive with Patrick Williams",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-11T03:54:20.909Z"
}