The Bulls have several young players on their roster, but only rookie forward Matas Buzelis has the raw talent to potentially change the team’s trajectory, argues Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. However, the 20-year-old from Chicago will have to improve in a number of different areas for that to happen.
“The one thing is, he has earned his minutes, which has been a positive,” head coach Billy Donovan said. “He has terrific upside and ability and talent. But he’s young.
“It’s kind of what we were talking about with [Patrick Williams]. All these guys get into a situation where when they come into the league at an extremely young age, there’s a pass given on, ‘They’re young. They have to learn.’ And rightfully so. But after a period of time, you have to be able to do this. And with Matas, [it’s] the consistency part from him of understanding the league, understanding personnel, understanding who he’s guarding.
“I’ve been really encouraged with the way he has responded, and I do think he’ll continue to improve. He’s a worker and gets in there and competes. But as a young guy, he has to learn.”
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- As Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune writes, Buzelis has shown flashes of tantalizing upside this season, but the No. 11 overall pick ranks just 32nd among rookies in minutes per game (12.8 in 42 appearances). After logging roughly his season average in the first half of Monday’s win against the Clippers, he didn’t play at all in the final two quarters, a trend that has been happening for some time. He says he only has himself to blame for that, per Poe. “I deserved it,” Buzelis said. “I was minus-11, wasn’t making shots, defensively messed up, missed a few offensive rebounds. It’s part of the learning process. I can’t get frustrated (with playing time) when I’m the one not playing well.”
- Guard Coby White met with a foot doctor on Tuesday after undergoing imaging, and while nothing is structurally wrong with his ankle, he’s unlikely to suit up on Thursday at Golden State, Donovan said (Twitter link via K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network). White, who missed Monday’s game, is officially listed as questionable with right ankle soreness.
- Josh Giddey has had an up-and-down first season with the Bulls, struggling at times on defense, which is one of the primary reasons he hasn’t been a consistent part of closing lineups. That changed on Monday, when the fourth-year guard put up 18 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in 40 minutes in the win vs. the Clips. The 22-year-old will be a restricted free agent in the summer, and he admits he sometimes wonders about the uncertainty of his contract situation, according to Cowley. “I’m very happy here,” Giddey said. “I love the players, the coaches, everyone has been great here. I’d be lying if I said I never think about it. Every player in the country thinks about it, but you can’t let it impact the way you play. It’s a business. The contract will be taken care of at the end of the year, whatever it is, how long it is, where it is? It’s kind of out of my hands by then, so just play the season and do my best.”
Buzelis just turned 20. He’s too thin. And needs about 3-5 yrs just to become an adult body. So who cares about his mins. He should be playing every day in the G-league. That’s where he can get mins and develop. It’s amazing to me. How billion dollar businesses. That are built on basketball talent and growth. Doesn’t take the development of 19 yr old bodies seriously. Like they are suppose to come in and save your team or coach. Most coaches don’t even last long enough to see the finished product. What Bulls have done and still doing to Williams is criminal ……
No lottery pick should ever be worse than a rotation player. That is your job and commitment to the players. Only benefits your team to help make him the best he can be. Even if takes 5-7 yrs. Athletes don’t peak till after 25-27. And still get better by learning the game better after that.
Bulls are fools if they don’t resign Giddey.
Re:Giddey extensions It depends on the price. Due to the lack of cap space in the nba and Giddey’s uneven performance the last 2 years, he probably will only require a modest/reasonable deal. However the bulls can’t give him a blank check as they already have an upside down extension with Williams . NBA success in 2025 is about having contracts that have positive value. The old nba of winning despite bad contracts has become a lot more challenging to impossible with new CBA.
Do you even watch Patrick Williams play? honestly? you’re the only guy in here who is supporting him. Dude can’t even rebound properly and is a starter….at his listed height of 6’7, can’t even make a simple bounce pass. Worst fundamentals I have ever seen in my 35 years watching Bulls basketball.
You mean 35 yrs of trance ……..
I can watch one game. And give you an intelligent review of talent. It’s a gift, I got talent vision.
I’ve watched him since he was drafted. Like you, Bulls don’t know what they got.
You help a player find his way ……
You don’t make him into something you need or want.
How’s that Demar trade you were harping on for three years? LOL
Talk about developing players, name the last guy you guys developed? Traded for KAT/OG/Mikal, Brunson was a FA. Melo was a trade as well. You want to go there so can I. I didn’t attack your knowledge of your own team so get off mine.
With that vision you got, you should have applied to the Knicks front office back in the 2000’s since they were rotating coaches after JVG.
The Spencer Dimwits era before DDR was even funnier raz , idk if you were lucky enough to be a part of that timeline; was a pretty small crew in here those days
AL- I don’t disagree that the Bulls are playing Williams in the wrong position. However I completely disagree that he would be any better anywhere else. And I have watched him play more than you. Way more. He’s just bad and lethargic.
Blow it all up. Fire Donovan. Nobody should be expendable on this team. Everyone is available.
Give all Patrick Williams minutes to Buzelis. Williams is beyond terrible. There’s nothing he does well. Nice job extending him for 5 Years AK!!! Lol
The sad part is that nobody was going to offer him 5/90M regardless, they could have made a QO and still be off the books for the remaining 4 years. LMAO
Trade Lavine and Vooch. Stop stalling!