The final fourth of the NBA season is a transitional period for the Chicago Bulls. Although the Play-In Tournament remains in reach, the 24-37 Bulls are unlikely to advance into the NBA Playoffs as an eighth seed. If the playoffs began today, Chicago would have to defeat the Atlanta Hawks and then either the Orlando Magic or Miami Heat for a chance to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Windy City’s near future is bleak. However, the young Bulls squad certainly has better days ahead. The transitional period is such because of the rash of injuries and the decision to rebuild, consuming the Bulls’ post-trade deadline.

Of course, the rebuilding ideology commenced when the Vice President of Basketball Operations, Arturas Karnisovas, decided to ship away two-time All-Star Zach LaVine, only to receive three role players and a first-round pick in exchange.

The Bulls change of ideology and rash of injuries have opened doors

Following Chicago’s decision to part ways with LaVine, forward Patrick Williams was diagnosed with tendinosis in his right quad, starting center Nikola Vucevic a bothersome right calf, and key reserve and spot starter Ayo Dosunmu an injured shoulder that would require season-ending surgery.

While LaVine’s departure is upsetting, it was necessary to jump-start a prolonged rebuild. Furthermore, the various injuries are disheartening. However, nothing can be done to avoid injuries. Thus, the only positive to come out of the Bulls’ unfortunate month-long stretch is the evolution of several youngsters, including 11th-overall pick Matas Buzelis.

Chicago’s youngest player has impressed in an expanded role since the beginning of February. Prior to Buzelis’ breakout, he had averaged a mere 13.8 minutes per game in January. Buzelis was relegated to an end-of-rotation role in Billy Donovan’s lineup. The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 5.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest in the first month of the year.

In February, Buzelis’ playing time increased to 26.8 minutes per game. He started nine of 11 contests in February and totaled 141 points. Buzelis ended the month with averages of 12.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the field.

The rookie’s ascension has smoothed Chicago’s transitional period. While doubt remains about the Bulls’ future, Buzelis at least appears to be a foundational building block. The former first-rounder is an elite athlete, an all-around offensive force, and an active defender. All three aforementioned aspects of his game are crucial to the Bulls’ future. Buzelis is a picturesque fit at forward, and he fits well within Donovan’s offensive scheme.

6-foot-10 Matas Buzelis is a nightmare in transition

The latter is especially important. Chicago has relied upon a heavy diet of three-pointers (second-most attempts per game) and a frenetic pace (third-fastest). Buzelis’s three-pointer is still coming along (33.9 percent this season), but his transition play is ahead of schedule.

The former G-League Ignite star ranks in the 94th percentile of transition scorers. Buzelis averages 1.42 points per fast-break possession—ranking seventh among players to suit up for at least 50 games this season. On 1.8 fast break possessions per contest, Buzelis averages 2.6 points and shoots 68.3 percent.

While the average fan may be well aware of Buzelis’s penchant for highlight-worthy dunks, there’s much more to the 20-year-old’s game. He’s the only Bulls to average more than 1.3 points per fast break possession and to shoot above 65.0 percent on transition opportunities.

The rookie’s fast-break efficiency is a godsend for the Bulls. Chicago ranks second in transition possessions per game at 26.7—this comes after ranking dead last in the NBA a year ago. With such a high frequency of Chicago’s possessions coming via fast-break, Buzelis’s ability to efficiently score in transition only strengthens his place as a foundational building block.