Chicago Bulls star now better coming off the bench after arrival of ‘tough’ free agent signing, says Stacey King

Stacey King says Isaac Okoro should start and Patrick Williams should come from off the bench

The Bulls acquired Isaac Okoro from the Cleveland Cavaliers for Lonzo Ball in the offseason.

Okoro is 24 years old and he is another young enticing piece who the Bulls can include in their long-term plans.

With Okoro coming to town, he could wind up being the starter over Patrick Williams, which is something Stacey King wants to see happen.

“I say he’s [Isaac Okoro] got to start. we’ve already seen the Patrick Williams experiment, being a starter.

“I think Patrick is more comfortable coming off the bench, being a sixth or seventh man.

“I think this kid gives you the energy that you need to start the game. He’s going to get in people’s faces, he added.

“He’s going to get steals in transition. He’s going to be able to play the way the Bulls want to play, with his high tempo offense, where he can get out in transition. He’s a very good rim runner.

“He’s become a very serviceable three point shooter, a consistent corner three guy. So this is the guy you want out on the floor, and he can guard anybody on switches.”

Stacey King says the ‘bench is the best option’ for Patrick Williams

Patrick Williams left practice with an ankle injury, according to Bulls head coach Billy Donovan.

Donovan said Williams suffered the injury after planting on a jump stop during a scrimmage, but the good news is he walked off the court on his own.

Hopefully, Williams does make a full recovery as King thinks Williams coming from off the bench is the best option and will take pressure off him.

“Coming off the bench is the best option for him to take some pressure off him.

“There’s nothing wrong with a guy being a bench player. I know people are gonna look at his draft status and go, he was a fourth pick in the draft. How can he be a bench player?

“It just happens, everybody can’t be a star. Everybody can’t be the number one guy. This may be the role that he could really, really thrive in, coming off the bench. Less pressure.”

Williams might have to adapt to a new role this season, which in turn could help his development.