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Bulls Injury Report: Struggling DeMar DeRozan and Co Suffer Another Heartbreak as 22YO Star’s Season Crashes Out

Published 02/23/2024, 6:59 PM EST

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USA Today via Reuters

The Chicago Bulls started their second half of the season yesterday with a loss against the top-seeded Boston Celtics. That has been the Bulls’ story for the majority of this season. DeMar DeRozan & co have struggled to get in the winning column and have been hovering around the play-in spots all season. They are currently 9th in the East with a 26-30 record. Amid their struggles, the Bulls suffered another heartbreak that could put an end to their playoff aspirations.

According to NBA Insider Shams Charania, 22-year-old Forward Patrick Williams has been ruled out for the rest of the season as he will undergo foot surgery. Williams has been out of action since January 25 due to initial bone edema on his left foot. That is a massive blow for the Bulls, as Williams was having a decent season before he got injured. Williams played 43 games this season, averaging 10 points and 3.9 rebounds.

 

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Patrick Williams is not the first Bulls player this year to undergo a season-ending surgery. Earlier this month, superstar Zach LaVine underwent a season-ending surgery on his injured right foot. LaVine will need at least 4-6 months to recover from the surgery and return to complete health. LaVine played his last game on January 18. Apart from LaVine and Williams, Lonzo Ball is also out for the season due to an injury. With so many key players ruled out for the remainder of the season, DeMar DeRozan and Co. are likely to miss the playoffs again this season.

It might be time to blow things up in Chicago

With the Bulls struggling to even get into the playoffs for the second straight season, it might be time for them to blow the team up. The Bulls acquired DeMar DeRozan in 2021 with high expectations for the 6-time All-Star. They expected LaVine and DeRozan to form a lethal duo and make a deep run in the playoffs. However, DeRozan’s stint in Chicago has been underwhelming, to say the least. He is in the final year of his 3-year $81.9 million contract. The Bulls front office might want to start fresh next season and let go of DeRozan while he is still playing at an elite level.

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“Knocked Me to My Knees”: DeMar DeRozan Gets Agonisingly Honest About Heartbreaking Trade

There were already rumors about Zach LaVine being available for a potential trade before he got injured. With the Bulls looking to trade both their superstars, a rebuild might be coming soon. They have young players like Coby White and Alex Caruso to build around. And if the Bulls play their cards right, they can get a decent value for LaVine and DeRozan in the trade market. Do you believe the Bulls’ season is over after Patrick Williams’ injury, and they should start their rebuild?

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Written by:

Rohan Bhaunt

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Rohan Singh Bhaunt, an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports, boasts a background as a divisional basketball player and an NBA enthusiast spanning over a decade. His extensive knowledge of the sport enables him to intricately explore its nuances, presenting a fresh outlook. Rohan's dive into the NBA newsdesk at ES commenced with witnessing LeBron James secure his inaugural championship in Miami.
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