Bulls Season Prediction: Power Forward |
As we continue to make our way down the Bulls Roster and preview what we can expect from them, we get out of the backcourt and move to the frontcourt. Considering how this roster is constructed and the lack of overall size, this is more of a defacto frontcourt, as the Bulls only have a few bodies above 6-9, making things more challenging for them against specific teams.
Today, it is all about the Power Forward position, which could be one of the more significant question marks heading into the season. Sure, Patrick Williams does seem to be the starter, but after a less-than-stellar career thus far, how long will that leash be? Behind him, you have free-agent pickup Torrey Craig, but that is it, as the Bulls continue to lack the frontcourt depth they need to compete.
One of the biggest question marks, and you could argue the X-Factor heading into the Bulls 2023-24 season, has to be Patrick Williams. The former No. 4 overall pick, Williams, has yet to live up to that across his first three NBA seasons, but injuries have played a role in that during his early years. Now entering his fourth season with the team, Williams has been very vocal that he not only wants to be a bigger part of the offense but also more aggressive to show the type of player he can be. You saw his aggressiveness at times last season, but he still lacked the consistency you would like to see from a No. 4 pick. Remember that this was someone who never started a game in college and always seemed more comfortable coming off the bench in the NBA. Granted, that may be the role he is best suited for, but he is their best option at the PF position, so look for him to open the season as the starter. Prediction: 82 games, 15.3 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.5 APG: Not only will Williams be one of the more durable players on the Bulls this season, but this is the year where he breaks out and shows you the full potential that he can provide. Granted, people would love to see him average 18-20 PPG, but that may not be the type of player he is. However, if he can give you 15-plus points night in and night out, that will be a massive asset to the offense, and Williams is confident that is what he can do. Throw in his outside shooting as he led the team in three-point percentage from a season ago, and you have a player on the verge of breaking out and establishing himself as a true leader on this team.Patrick Williams
Torrey Craig
Given the Bull's financial status this offseason, they were unable to spend the kind of money they would have liked. However, Chicago did a good job adding some much-needed pieces, and Craig was one of their additions. Signed to a two-year contract after a successful stretch with the Phoenix Suns, Craig will provide the Bulls with the physicality they lacked while providing them with some versatility.
As mentioned with Williams, who may be a better fit coming off the bench, Craig is one of those guys who has thrived off the bench as a role player, but can also step in and give you starter minutes if needed. When you look at other teams around the league and the type of players they have, Craig has the opportunity to be the Bulls version of Jae Crowder, and we all know how that has worked out for other teams.
Prediction: 77 games, 9.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG: Craig has never been a great scorer off of the bench, but he has shown the ability to knock down the outside shot, which is something the Bulls need to do more of this season. Craig is coming off a career-best 7.4 PPG last season, and this could be an even better year for him. With the loss of Derrick Jones Jr and Javonte Green, Craig will inherit plenty of minutes from the start and be given an opportunity to score off the bench. Any additional scoring from him will be an asset to this team.
Adama Sanogo
Perhaps the biggest steal of the 2023 NBA draft didn't come as a draft pick but as an undrafted free-agent pickup. When it was announced that the Bulls signed Adama Sanogo to a free-agent contract, you had to love that decision, as this was arguably a late first-round talent who somehow went undrafted.
A former Final Four MVP with the UCONN, Sanogo had a great three-year run with the Huskies, where he continued to improve each season. Sanogo averaged 13.9 PPG and 7.4 RPG across his career, including a 17.4 PPG and 7.7 RPG performance last season. Signed to a two-way deal, look for Sanogo to see plenty of time on the NBA roster this season, as he could be the biggest surprise on the team in 2023.
Prediction: 47 games, 5.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG: Given that Sanogo is on a two-way deal, don't expect to see him in a Bulls uniform immediately. However, I expect to see him on the team at some point this season, and once he gets there, don't expect him to return to the G-League. This is exactly the type of player the Bulls have been lacking in seasons past and is someone who can come in and do what he needs to do to make this team better.
