Matas Buzelis steps into a new era as the Chicago Bulls hand him the keys to their future
As the Chicago Bulls returned from the All-Star break with a dramatically restructured roster, no player entered the stretch run with more responsibility, urgency, and opportunity than rising forward Matas Buzelis.
The 21-year-old had one of the busiest All-Star weekends of any sophomore in the league, competing in the Rising Stars event for the third straight year and delivering a highlight-filled showcase that reminded everyone of his elite upside.
Across two appearances, Buzelis totaled 10 points while flashing the dynamic skill set that made him one of the most intriguing prospects of the 2024 draft class, blending shooting, athleticism, and creativity in a polished and aggressive manner.
He splashed a confident three, hammered home a pair of electric dunks, and spun past fellow sophomore Donovan Clingan for a gorgeous underhand finish, demonstrating a level of poise rarely seen from players in only their second season.
Chicago’s front office undoubtedly hopes those same explosive flashes translate into the team’s final 27 games, especially after a trade deadline that sent a clear signal about who remains central to the organization’s long-term blueprint.
Buzelis was not only kept but elevated as a foundational cornerstone, and with the team moving seven players in recent weeks, he suddenly finds himself one of the longest-tenured Bulls on the entire roster.
For a franchise desperate to establish a new identity after years of inconsistency and stalled playoff ambitions, Buzelis represents the kind of two-way forward modern contenders often build around intentionally and aggressively.
His second season has already validated that belief, as he has nearly doubled his production from his rookie year while averaging 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks per game in increasingly difficult assignments.
Even more encouraging is the improvement in his scoring efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, where he is converting 37.2 percent on 5.5 attempts per night despite drawing significantly more defensive attention than in his first season.
Pre-draft questions about his jumper have rapidly faded, and his ability to score off movement, spot-ups, and pull-ups has become a defining element of Chicago’s half-court offense on most nights.
Yet, as promising as his offensive development appears, Buzelis remains a work in progress, and head coach Billy Donovan has not hesitated to apply a tight leash whenever defensive lapses or rushed shots compromise team execution.
At times, his lack of upper-body strength continues to be a limiting factor, as bigger wings have successfully leveraged their physicality to disrupt him on both ends of the floor throughout the season.
Despite those challenges, the Bulls understand that growth for young stars requires freedom, responsibility, and increased on-court autonomy, especially for players capable of eventually becoming primary engines in both transition and half-court settings.
With a completely reimagined roster and enormous scoring duties now redistributed, the opportunity for Buzelis to expand his role has arrived sooner than expected, and the sophomore has embraced that responsibility publicly.
After practice on Wednesday, Buzelis acknowledged that stepping into a leadership position in just his second year feels unusual, but he expressed excitement at the chance to guide a reshaped locker room during a difficult stretch.
“I always wanted to be a leader and be more vocal,” Buzelis said, noting that this period offers the perfect opening to demonstrate his ability to steer teammates and command the floor confidently and consistently.
He added that he is learning to communicate more actively, understanding that leadership extends beyond scoring into accountability, energy, and resilience, especially during games where the margin for error is thin.
The Bulls delivered him an uncommon challenge by tearing apart the roster mid-season, a move that left half the team replaced and forced veterans and youngsters alike to adjust to new personnel and revised rotations.
Even so, belief has never been something Buzelis lacked, and his confidence has bordered on swagger since his days with the G League Ignite, where he routinely showcased assertiveness against older, more physically mature competition.
He credits his growth to experience, stating that each game adds layers to his comfort and decision-making, reinforcing the idea that repetition and discipline remain central to unlocking his full potential at the NBA level.
“My game just grows more the more games I play,” he said, noting that talent eventually rises when effort, focus, and learning remain at the forefront, especially during turbulent stretches requiring mental toughness.
Right now, Buzelis believes the priority lies in teaching Chicago’s newest additions the system and building a connection strong enough to translate into steady competitiveness on the scoreboard.
However, achieving that will not come easily, as Chicago enters one of the league’s hardest remaining schedules while struggling through a streak of nine losses in their last ten games, a slump that magnifies every possession.
Their next several matchups include three of the Eastern Conference’s top five teams arriving at the United Center, a stretch likely to determine whether Chicago remains in play-in territory or slips further down the standings.
Still, if there is one player eager to embrace the uphill battle, it is the former No. 11 pick, whose mentality has fueled his rise from potential-driven rookie to cornerstone centerpiece in less than two seasons.
“I’ll be ready for war tomorrow. Seven o’clock,” Buzelis said with conviction, signaling not only readiness for the challenge but a desire to stake his claim as the Bulls’ emerging face of the franchise.
As Chicago navigates the most crucial phase of their season, their direction, identity, and competitive future may hinge on how quickly Matas Buzelis transforms potential into consistent production against the league’s toughest opponents.
