Bulls coach Billy Donovan trying to stay positive with Patrick Williams

SAN FRANCISCO — Bulls coach Billy Donovan does right by his players publicly. So when asked Tuesday if he believes forward Patrick Williams has had a disappointing season, he noted it hasn’t exactly been easy for anyone.

“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.

“I’m not making excuses for Patrick, but our team, the first 50 games, we had guys in and out.”

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

“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.

Sexton back soon

Guard Collin Sexton 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.

Sexton carried the offense in the first four games in March, averaging 25 points. He scored 30 against the Suns last Thursday.

Simons still a ways off

Veteran guard Anfernee Simons 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.

Simons is scheduled to see a hand specialist again after this road trip, at which point the Bulls will know more.