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Leonard Miller’s Preseason Burst Exposes Patrick Williams’ $90 Million Mistake
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- Leonard Miller’s Preseason Burst Exposes Patrick Williams’ $90 Million Mistake
David Banks-Imagn Images
A forward on the Chicago Bulls netted 26 points versus the Denver Nuggets during a preseason matchup, although the franchise still holds a player possessing one of the NBA's most unfavorable deals. Leonard Miller showed flashes of brilliance during the preseason, including an 18-point performance against the Milwaukee Bucks, proving he can score when given the chance.
Williams has three years left on that contract, but his production has not matched the price tag. He earns $18 million per season while posting shooting splits of .385/.350/.722 over the past two seasons. According to Pippen Ain't Easy , Williams now has minimal signs of progress as a player and is widely viewed as having one of the worst deals in the league. Trading the player appears optimal given the organization's harsh reality, yet nearly zero teams are prepared to absorb his $54 million in guaranteed or player-optioned funds.
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A Viable Rotation Alternative
Miller offers the Chicago Bulls a distinctive chance to address this roster deficiency without delaying for a trade. The young forward could help the team justify replacing Williams in the rotation if the veteran does not improve his play. Pippen Ain't Easy observed that Miller is the forward capable of enabling the Bulls to bench Williams should his performance fail to improve. This shift would allow Chicago to stop relying on a player who has struggled to find a consistent role while paying a premium for his potential.
These numbers matter because they offer a path forward that does not involve waiting for the market to change for Williams. The Bulls can simply play the player who is actually making shots and scoring points in the rotation.
The Cost of Stagnation
The $18 million annual salary is a heavy burden that limits the roster's flexibility. Pippen Ain't Easy stated that Patrick Williams has either zero or nearly no teams ready to acquire him due to his salary and on-court difficulties. This lack of trade interest forces the Bulls to look internally for a solution rather than hoping another team takes the bad contract off their hands.
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Miller's emergence changes the conversation around the frontcourt. If he can maintain this level of play into the regular season, the coaching staff has a clear reason to shift minutes away from Williams. The data supports this move, as Williams has .385/.350/.722 shooting splits over the past two seasons, which is not enough to justify his spot in the lineup.
