An old wound is reopening for Chicago Bulls fans as All-Star forward Deni Avdija leads the Portland Trail Blazers into the playoffs. He is coming off a dominant 41-point performance in a 114-110 Play-In win over the Phoenix Suns. Now, his recent comments about the 2020 NBA Draft are hitting differently.
The All-Star forward had already reflected on that night during an appearance on Young Man and the Three. Now, with Chicago watching from home, the timing feels louder than ever. Avdija’s breakout season and postseason push are forcing a fresh evaluation of one of Chicago’s most debated draft decisions.
Avdija’s Comments Hit Harder Given the Timing
Avdija didn’t hold back when revisiting the moment the Bulls selected Patrick Williams over him at No. 4.
“Everybody thought, the whole world thought Chicago would take me at four. Like, it made the most sense, and when Chicago drafted Patrick Williams it was a surprise because I don’t know, nobody really thought about him going four. Nobody really knew his name. And I feel like after he got drafted fourth, it started to be like, the draft was messy.”
At the time, Avdija falling all the way to the Washington Wizards at No. 9 raised eyebrows. Years later, it is no longer just a talking point. It is a what-if scenario with real consequences.
The Bulls fired their front office leader, president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas, just over a week ago. Karnisovas made the Williams pick as his first major move in Chicago.
Bulls fans did not realize it then, but that decision set the tone. It became one of several missteps that still have the franchise rebuilding six years later.
What the Bulls Missed vs. What They Got
This season, Deni Avdija averaged 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists on his way to his first All-Star selection. He ranked among the league’s top downhill scorers. He consistently generated offense in the paint and at the free-throw line. That profile turned him into a primary engine, not just a complementary piece.
His Play-In performance reflected that growth. Avdija finished with 41 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds against Phoenix. While Avdija is trending upward, the Bulls remain stuck in reset mode. The team finished 31-51 and missed both the Play-In and postseason.
Meanwhile, Williams, once viewed as a high-upside swing, has struggled to meet expectations. He averaged just 7.0 points per game while shooting 37.2 percent from the field and is nowhere close to becoming a lead offensive option. Despite that, Williams still secured a five-year, $90 million deal. He has never averaged more than 10.2 points per game and his minutes have declined each of the past three seasons. All signs that Williams has been an over-rewarded draft bust.
One player has become the centerpiece of a playoff team. The other has become a contract Chicago is not eager to move. Avdija and Portland now shift focus to a first-round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. Chicago shifts to reflection. The Bulls didn’t just pass on Deni Avdija. They are now watching him become the player they hoped to draft.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Deni Avdija Shares Harsh Reality as Bulls Fans Relive Draft Regret appeared first on Heavy Sports.