Through two seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Matas Buzelis has done everything asked of him. Now the expectations are growing.
Drafted 11th overall out of the G League Ignite in 2024, Buzelis arrived in Chicago as one of the most intriguing prospects in his class, a long, athletic forward with an explosive motor and real defensive upside. His rookie season was a process. He came off the bench to begin the year before earning 31 starts across 80 games, averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per night. The flashes were there: high-flying athleticism, rim protection, and shooting range, but the role was limited.
Year two was a different story entirely. Buzelis locked down a permanent starting spot in 2025-26, appearing in all 77 games and logging 29.2 minutes per contest. His numbers took a significant leap, finishing the season with averages of 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. He also quietly tied for fifth in the NBA in blocks per game, showcasing an elite ability to protect the rim from the weak side. The growth between his rookie and sophomore seasons was one of the more remarkable individual development stories in the league.
Mar 28, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Now heading into year three, Buzelis knows where his game needs to go. He has been open about wanting to cut down on his 3-point volume; more mid-range opportunities, more attacking downhill, and more playing through contact are the priorities. With Splitter's system built around pace and freedom of movement, Buzelis is expected to have more offensive latitude than he did under previous coaching staffs. To that end, Buzelis spent the offseason adding weight and strength, and putting on roughly 12 pounds to help him better handle physicality at the NBA level.
The addition of Nic Claxton as a defensive anchor also changes the equation. With Claxton protecting the paint, Buzelis can play more aggressively on the perimeter without compromising the team's defensive integrity, a dynamic that could unlock another level in his two-way game.
The numbers to watch this season are clear. Buzelis averaged 19 points per game after the All-Star break last year, and turning that late-season production into his baseline standard is the next step. Pushing past 20 points per game while raising his field-goal percentage into the 47-48% range would put him squarely in the All-Star conversation.
At just 21 years old, the ceiling is still nowhere in sight.
