The news of Patrick Williams needing season-ending foot surgery on Friday dealt the Chicago Bulls‘ season yet another severe blow. In addition to undermining the Bulls’ chances of making the playoffs, Williams’ original plan to earn a significantly larger salary this offseason as a restricted free agent was derailed by the development.
The former Florida State standout talked about his thoughts on Saturday on his impending foot surgery and his intention to stay a Bull over the offseason.
Grind never stops
Williams had been putting in a lot of work to get back on the floor for weeks. The versatile forward had a roadmap set and was moving in the right direction to be available for the last part of the season. He even had a target date in mind. Unfortunately, surgery was the only course of action after it was discovered that his foot damage was more serious than first believed.
Williams was obviously really disappointed to hear the news. Williams said,
“It’s a lot at one time to go from thinking you are ramping up to play on Tuesday to a couple of days later having to have surgery. Not easy at all,” “That night they called me and let me know they kind of saw a line in the navicular bone, which kind of meant it was a fracture there. For me, it was kind of frustrating because I think I’m kind of ramping up and shooting at a date the end of this month to come back. And when you hear (season-ending surgery), it is kind of devastating,”
Injury Update: Patrick Williams, who has been sidelined since Jan 25 with initial bone edema in his left foot, recently underwent routine subsequent imaging revealing the progression of his foot stress reaction.
He will undergo surgery and be out for the remainder of the season.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 23, 2024
Would be happy to stay a Bull
Williams’s severe bone edema in his left foot has kept him out of action since January 25. Williams aspires to play for the Bulls next season, but despite his extended period of rest and rehabilitation, the injury did not heal much. As a result, the medical team advised surgery as soon as possible to allow Williams enough time to get ready.
Williams said,
“I would love to continue to be a Bull. I love it here. Man, I think I could really be a cornerstone piece for this team. But you never know what the future holds, and I understand it’s a business,”
“For now, worry about the surgery and getting back playing, and let the chips fall where they may.”
Patrick Williams said he was ramping up to play by end of month when testing showed fracture. His surgery is in New York and scheduled for March 6 as of now and he’s expecting to be back doing on-court work in July.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) February 24, 2024
