It’s been a long, winding road for Chicago Bulls forward Patrick Williams. After entering the collegiate ranks as a top-30 prospect, Williams spent his lone season at Florida State on the bench before entering the NBA Draft.

Chicago took the risk and spent its lowest draft pick in over a decade on the 18-year-old forward, who had averaged only 9.2 points for the Seminoles. The decision to draft the 6-foot-8 wing looked like a hit. Williams appeared in 71 games, averaging 9.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 0.9 steals while swishing 39.1 percent of his triples as a 19-year-old rookie.

After earning an All-Rookie Second Team nod, Williams’ follow-up season generated much intrigue. Unfortunately, Williams’ sophomore campaign was cut short by a wrist injury. The Chicago forward would return to play, but only appeared in 17 contests in his second season.

Williams’ third season was statistically reminiscent of his first. His fourth season, like his second, was derailed by a serious injury. Now, four and a half seasons into his career, Williams averages 9.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while converting 37.7 percent of his field goals and 36.2 percent of his threes. Nearly all the aforementioned statistics are career-lows besides the points (third-fewest) and assists (career-high).

The Bulls have made Patrick Williams available ahead of the trade deadline

After extreme patience from the coaching staff and front office, it’s been reported that the Bulls are finally willing to part with Williams. According to Chicago Sun Times’ Joe Cowley, “[Arturas] Karnisovas has finally bought into the idea that 23-year-old Patrick Williams needs a change of scenery, opening the door for Williams to also be on the trade block.”

This report comes days after the $90 million wing’s trade restriction was lifted. After re-signing Williams to a five-year pact in July, the Bulls were unable to trade Williams—until now. Less than three weeks until the February 6 trade deadline, it’s entirely possible the Bulls will route the former fourth-overall pick to a team willing to attempt to resurrect his career.

There’s never been a question of Williams’ vast potential that made him a top-five draft pick. At 6-foot-8, with above-average athleticism and a smooth three-point stroke, Williams intangibles are worth salivating over. However, he’s never put it together. The Bulls have been worse off with Williams on the court for four of his five professional seasons.

Furthermore, it’s been revealed that the 23-year-old hasn’t been the easiest to work with over the years. According to Cowley via a source, Williams’ behavior and willingness to accept coaching have been fine, but his comfort level with his progression hasn’t been.

Most recently, Billy Donovan stated that Williams needs to make better decisions off the dribble and improve his rebounding as the starting power forward. Donovan’s suggestions are worthwhile. Williams’ continued lack of assertiveness has shown up on the floor and in the box score. The 23-year-old wing has averaged a mere 6.6 points in January. Williams’ rebounding has been even worse. He has brought down only 2.2 rebounds per game over his last five contests.

Although a trade might not come to fruition by the deadline, it’s encouraging to hear that the Bulls’ Front Office is accepting and willing to move on from a player who has plateaued in Chicago. At 23 years old, there’s ample time left for Williams to prove he’s a starting-caliber player in the NBA—it just won’t be in Chicago.