The Chicago Bulls could be getting ready to see one of their young stars blossom.
Not much has gone well for the Bulls over the past few seasons. Being stuck in the middle isn’t fun for any NBA team, and for a team with a history as rich as Chicago’s, it can be disheartening for fans.
While the Bulls have been a perennial play-in team and failed to get any high draft picks, they’ve still managed to find some good value recently. Most notably, the Bulls used the No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft to take Matas Buzelis.
As a rookie, Buzelis wasn’t the flashiest player on the floor, but he showed some clear potential, especially toward the end of the year. A 6-foot-10 forward who excels on both ends, Buzelis has the chance to become a true cornerstone for the Bulls if he can continue to get better.
ESPN’s Jeremy Woo is one of many who believe Buzelis not only will get better but might be in line to take a leap next season. Buzelis earned the No. 4 spot on Woo’s ranking of the most interesting second-year players in the league.
Woo also noted that the Bulls’ shift toward an up-tempo approach could also play well into Buzelis’ favor. In any case, he will be among the top players in Chicago over the next few years, and his ability to showcase his skills will be critical to the team’s future.
While there is no guarantee that Buzelis will make a leap in year two, the opportunity should be in front of him when next season tips off.
