Bulls forward Patrick Williams out of starting lineup — and out of free passes

It was an easy conversation for Bulls coach Billy Donovan.

He simply pulled aside power forward Patrick Williams, informed him that Javonte Green would start in his place Friday and went about his day.

Williams, the fourth overall pick in 2020, didn’t put up any resistance or fight. His ‘‘Passive Pat’’ demeanor had carried over from the court.

“I didn’t really think too much about it,’’ Williams said. “When [Donovan] told me, I was all for it. I think Javonte is a really good player, plays with a lot of energy. And I kind of saw where he was coming from in terms of him bringing energy to that first group. And I think it worked. We won.’’

The Bulls manhandled the shorthanded Nuggets in impressive fashion in their 131-113 victory. But chalk it up as another loss in the player-development game for Williams.

A lot has gone against the Florida State product since he was drafted, starting with the fact that his NBA life began in the midst of a pandemic.

Williams gets an obvious pass for that.

Last season, he had an unbelievably productive summer before being slowed in camp with a bum ankle. Then he suffered a severe wrist injury only five games into the regular season.

Again, he gets another understandable pass.

After Friday, however, he has run out of passes.

It’s way too early to label Williams a bust, but it’s not too early to be concerned that he’s heading down that path. He has All-Star potential but seems content to take a back seat.

“My job is to be productive and use my talents to try to help the team win,’’ Williams said.

For many NBA players, that’s correct.

But for No. 4 picks, there are different expectations. The Bulls want — and need to see — dominant moments.

There haven’t been enough of those, at least when he’s starting alongside Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.

Williams seems hesitant to flash his ability when they’re on the court with him; he all but admitted it.

“A lot of times with the first unit, Zach and DeMar are All-Stars,’’ Williams said. “I feel like, and the team feels like, the best shot is for the ball to be in their hands. And we’re trying to set screens for them and trying to get them open.’’

That kind of mentality can cost you a starting spot.

Did Anthony Edwards worry about stepping on toes when he arrived in Minnesota? Has LaMelo Ball backed away from being the face of the Hornets? Is Tyrese Haliburton flinching from doing his job? Does Tyrese Maxey play like he’s scared of taking shots away from 76ers superstar Joel Embiid?

All were 2020 draft picks, and all are making Williams’ selection look like a blunder in comparison.

The good news is it’s not too late for Williams, who’s still only 21. Maybe playing with the second unit is the push he needs. Void of All-Star intimidation, he might become more aggressive.

Maybe it will spark something, anything.

It doesn’t speak well of Williams’ makeup in his third season, but it’s worth another free pass.

If only he had any left.