Chicago Bulls Change Out 40% Of Starting Lineup

The Chicago Bulls continue to struggle near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, at 9-13. Head coach Billy Donovan has responded by shaking things up, replacing two of his starters. 

Heading to the bench unit are point guard Ayo Dosunmu and power forward Patrick Williams. It began in Friday night's 119-111 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Alex Caruso and Javonte Green started in their place. 

Donovan on moving Patrick Williams to second unit: "In doing this, I told him I wanted him to be more aggressive offensively."

— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) December 3, 2022

It didn't quite pay off Friday night, as Williams played 19 minutes, scoring just seven points, with two rebounds and four fouls. He took the demotion with his usual even-keeled manner. 

"Obviously, everybody wants to start, wants to play 48 minutes. But whatever is best for the team, and honestly for me in terms of development, I’m all for it," said Williams. "Look around the league, there are a lot of good players who come off the bench. Jordan Poole had 30 tonight. I don’t think he takes offense to not starting. He is comfortable in his role and that’s where I am trying to get to, ‘OK, come in with the second unit.’"

Dosunmu played 21 minutes off the bench and scored nine points while adding three assists. Dosunmu is at 10.6 points and 2.9 assists on the season. The second-year guard was also nonchalant about the role change. “I just took it as it was, try to continue to get better,” said Dosunmu. “I feel like my motto no matter if I start or not, each and every day I want to get one percent better."

The Bulls are hoping the moves get them much more than one percent better as they move forward. 

Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports