Chicago Bulls Stock Up, Stock Down: Preseason Win in Cleveland

Michael Walton II

Oct 8, 2025, 10:22

Michael Walton II

Oct 8, 2025, 10:22

Updated at: Oct 8, 2025, 10:22

The Chicago Bulls pulled of an exciting--especially for their preseason opener--118-117 road win over the Cavaliers. Chicago took down Cleveland behind a game-winning block from Dalen Terry, who still profiles as one of Chicago's top high-energy prospects, despite needing to improve offensively to solidify a role. Between Terry's game-sealing block, Matas Buzelis' overall performance, and Noa Essengue looking not the least bit overwhelmed, it was a great night for Chicago's player development program. Although the Bulls shot 51.9% from the field, it wasn't a great night for everyone on the team in terms of on-court performance. With the Bulls finally having some on-court action for us to digest, let's take our first look at we like to call "The Chicago Bulls Stock Market."

Whose stock is up and who is trending down following the first Bulls preseason game?

Stock Up: Matas Buzelis

It's obvious, right? Matas Buzelis' stock is way, way up after the Bulls first preseason game, and if you don't buy up some shares now...it's going to be too late.

Buzelis has said that he wants to win the Most Improved Player Award, and he certainly looks like he meant that statement based off of his performance in the preseason win. He racked up 19 points on 63.6% shooting from the field.

Most importantly for a player like Buzelis with superstar potential, he showcased the ability to score in a variety of ways. He used his speed to blow past Jarrett Allen for a score in transition. He grabbed an offensive rebound, reset the offense, and spotted up in the corner to knockdown a catch-and-shoot 3-point FG with De'Andre Hunter closing out hard. Buzelis scored with the ball in his hands off the dribble, off of well-timed cuts, and even hit a pull-up 3-pointer in transition in the face of the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley.

None of Buzelis' makes were as important as that pull-up 3-pointer. Josh Giddey does not have that shot in his arsenal, and really no one on the team besides Coby White and Kevin Huerter would classify as confident pull-up shooters from deep. If Buzelis can maintain solid efficiency on a higher volume of pull-up 3-pointers while still focusing on attacking the basket, the path to superstardom (or at least multiple All-Star selections) is clear.

Stock Down: Nikola Vucevic

This one is a bit of a reach, as we shouldn't expect too much in the preseason in terms of great performances from the veteran big Nikola Vucevic, entering his 15th season. But I felt I needed to list Vucevic here for one specific reason, he missed both of his 3-point attempts on the evening. Now in his defense, his first 3-point FGA was an extremely deep shot that may have been Vucevic simply testing out his range in a low-stakes setting. His second 3-point miss was a more traditional for him, open, above the break 3-point FGA.

The misses were disappointing as they represent the worst case scenario for his Vucevic, which would be his elite 40% 3-point shooting last season being a flash in the pan, and that figure dropping back down to the 29.4% he shot from deep in 2024.

Vucevic being able to space the floor and make shots from deep--not just take them in his case--is vital to the success of a Bulls half-court offense that needs a spark.

Stock Up: Dalen Terry

We end with the hero of the Bulls first preseason win, Dalen Terry. The lanky wing picked up the 6-foot-10, 248 lb. center Thomas Bryant full court, shadowing him all the way down the floor. Terry then used his impressive 7-foot wingspan to end the game with a surprisingly forceful block.

Terry has struggled to carve out a consistent role in Chicago for his entire time here. That being said, he has been an excellent teammate, a general source of good vibes, and does no complaining about his role. Being a good soldier matters a lot to the Bulls organization, and it is easy to see Terry sticking around even if he was a depth option. But last night's win showcased how there is a world where he plays 15-20 minutes per game, and contributes to winning basketball.

The main part of Terry's game that I expected to flourish a bit by now was his 3-point shooting. But entering his fourth season, he is still a sub-30% 3-point shooter. That figure was actually boosted by a career-best 35.6% from 3-point range on a limited 1.4 attempts per game from deep. Taking wide open 3-pointers is important for virtually every player on an NBA floor at this point, but there is no need to force it if that isn't your game, something Terry could lean into in 2026. He didn't take a single 3-pointer in last night's win but was active in the paint. He finished with 4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and one game-winning block, with his offense coming on a nice drive to the rim and a hustle play on the offensive glass.

If Terry never develops into an average 3-point shooter, it will certainly limit his ceiling as a player. Conversely, if he doesn't develop a 3-point shot but becomes stronger in all other facets of the game (playmaking, rebounding, driving to the basket) as he appeared to last night, a solidified role in Billy Donovan's rotation is right around the corner.

Chicago Bulls Stock Up, Stock Down: Preseason Win in Cleveland