Despite ditching former All-Star wings Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan and former two-time All-Defensive Team guard Alex Caruso in exchange for young pieces and little draft equity by the end of the 2024-25 season, the Chicago Bulls finished with a 39-43 record and the Eastern Conference’s No. 9 seed.
Although the Bulls’ trades may have been seen as a tanking move, the club finally bought in to head coach Billy Donovan’s pace-and-space play style, and put the ball in the hands of young guards Coby White and Josh Giddey (whom Chicago acquired in its Caruso deal) with more frequency.
The Bulls qualified for an Eastern Conference play-in tournament berth but missed the actual playoffs, as they have in each of the past three seasons.
Beyond Giddey, only one player really gave fans hope for Chicago’s future in a new way (White had blossomed the season prior): 6-foot-10 rookie lottery pick Matas Buzelis.
Last year, the 20-year-old showed off surprising athleticism and finishing ability, while improving his jumper from its G League Ignite days. Across 80 games, Buzelis averaged 8.6 points on .454/.361/.815 shooting splits, 3.5 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks. Buzelis finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting (San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle won) and earned an All-Rookie Second Team honor.
According to Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune, Buzelis and the Bulls have two major goals heading into the 2025-26 NBA season.
Matas Buzelis believes he can be great.
The path to that desired stardom starts with the ball in his hands.
The Bulls need Buzelis to take a major step this season. And after NBA Summer League, the forward feels prepared for the challenge.https://t.co/twwkAKtsfr
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) July 24, 2025
Chicago believes its 2025 All-Rookie small forward Matas Buzelis can change his play style heading into his second NBA season.
Now, Buzelis is hoping to develop his playmaking, as he tells Poe.
“Being a primary, secondary ball handler is like second nature to me,” Buzelis said. “I used to play (point guard) when I was younger, so it’s not really anything new to me. I think it’s just going to get better with time.”
That’s not the only goal on the young rising star’s plate: he also wants to expand his leadership role on the team.
“I have to be more vocal,” Buzelis suggested.
MORE NEWS: NBA insider has theory on Josh Giddey, Bulls contract-talks
