Enough time has passed. The Chicago Bulls hit on 11th overall pick Matas Buzelis. The rookie began the season slowly (like much of the draft class) but has since blossomed into a starting-caliber wing who’s flashed immense potential. He’s started the past 20 games, averaging 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while converting 45.4 percent of his field goals.
Buzelis’ official breakout came during the Bulls’ 146-115 win against the Los Angeles Lakers. The 20-year-old dropped a career-high 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting. The 6-foot-10 forward converted an impressive 5-of-10 three-pointers—notching career-highs in field goal and three-point makes and attempts.
Matas Buzelis boasts All-Star potential
Beyond the box score, Buzelis displayed a well-rounded offensive game with limitless off-the-bounce and spot-up scoring ability. The rookie’s drives were works of art. His first-quarter, baseline cross-over, behind-the-back move into a one-handed jam garnered serious praise on social media. The play came with Luka Doncic as Buzelis’ defender. While Doncic is no world-beater on the defensive end of the floor, Buzelis’ quick reaction to a close-out drew intrigue.
Buzelis’ elite athleticism was certainly on display, but his five catch-and-shoot triples offered a glimpse into just how good of a scorer the rookie can become. The 20-year-old didn’t shoot the ball in his lone season with the G-League Ignite (27.3 percent on 3.8 attempts per game) nor recently. He’s shooting only 29.8 percent from long-range in March.
Despite the subpar accuracy rate, Buzelis appears confident and comfortable with his shooting stroke. He’s a fluid shooter ready to let it fly upon the catch. Buzelis’ base, form, and release are always consistent, no matter if he’s still or on the move. Furthermore, the 20-year-old’s 85.5 percent free throw rate hints at high upside as a shooter.
Aside from statistics and the eye test, Buzelis’ drive, passion, and competitiveness have been second to none. The rookie is always aiming to get better. He’s as accountable as a veteran, and Head Coach Billy Donovan has held him to that standard. Buzelis recently shared his appreciation for Donovan’s coaching style, saying, “When he takes me out for a mistake, I get better.” Instead of sulking, which isn’t atypical of a 20-year-old rookie, Buzelis strives to improve and understands that trial by fire is the best way to do so.
Buzelis’ enormous potential isn’t to be taken lightly
The rookie’s demeanor and vast skillset point to a future All-Star. The big question is: Can the Bulls maximize Buzelis’ potential? Chicago has notoriously botched numerous draftees’ developments, including Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr., and most recently, Patrick Williams. Dalen Terry can even be thrown into the mix. There’s plenty of reason to worry.
Maximizing Buzelis amid a transitive period won’t be easy. The Bulls are toeing the line between competitiveness and a full-on rebuild—there’s not exactly a silver lining in the Windy City. Nevertheless, a core of 22-year-old Josh Giddey, 25-year-old Coby White, and 20-year-old Buzelis is intriguing. Plus, whoever the Bulls land in the first round of the stacked 2025 NBA Draft. Thus, Chicago could be closer to a playoff push in the inferior Eastern Conference than one would expect.
Still, Markkanen plateaued in Chicago before turning into an All-Star in Utah. The Carter Jr. experiment was short-lived, as the former seventh-overall pick only appeared in 119 games for the Bulls. However, he averaged 10.8 points per game across two-and-a-half injury-riddled campaigns before enjoying a career year in his first full season in Orlando.
While it’s not entirely the Bulls’ fault as to why these players failed to maximize their potential, Williams and Terry are others who have been given more than enough time to prove their worth. Williams’ has declined since a solid rookie campaign. Yet, the Bulls’ Front Office extended the former fourth-overall pick in the offseason for five years and $90 million. Early returns have been unfavorable. Williams is averaging career lows in points, rebounds, field goal, and three-point percentages.
Terry doesn’t have quite the same draft pedigree as Williams, but he just so happened to be a top-20 selection. The Arizona product has only minimally improved every year. After more than two seasons in the association, he’s averaging 4.3 points while only attempting 3.4 field goals per contest.
Multiple variables can derail a player’s development—injuries, lack of confidence, and poor team fit, to name a few. However, there’s no denying the Bulls’ inability to adequately maximize its players’ potential. If there’s a bright side, Billy Donovan has done a fantastic job of coaxing the best out of Giddey, White, and former second-rounder Ayo Dosunmu. Buzelis figures to be next in line.
