The Chicago Bulls, much like the Lakers, Clippers, or Warriors, obtained interesting rookies who have surrounding their games that they need to address. Here are questions that each of the rookies on the Chicago Bulls have to answer during the 2024-2025 NBA Season.
One Question For Each Chicago Bulls Rookie
Matas Buzelis
Question: Can Buzelis show enough of his potential to be a cornerstone for the Bulls?
The Chicago Bulls selected Matas Buzelis with the 11th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The best attributes that Buzelis has as a player are his athleticism and ability to do a little bit of everything at his height of six-foot-ten. He showcased in the G-League and at Summer League the potential he has as a player. Buzelis can score on all three levels, utilizing his athleticism to get to the basket. he can score in the mid-range and knock down shots from deep. Especially in Summer League, Buzelis showed off his ability to operate well in transition, where he has many highlight dunks. He even has upside on defense as a weakside rim protector. Overall, Buzelis has shown flashes of potential he has as a player.
If Buzelis can successfully and consistently show his potential throughout the coming season, then he can be a star to build around moving forward. Buzelis has shown that at his best, he has the upside to be a cornerstone for a franchise. That is not to say that he wouldn’t be part of the future of the Bulls if he can’t. However, he wouldn’t be someone a team would be around. While most of the potential that Buzelis has shown is just flashes, he does have the time to show his worth. It will be up to him to make that potential bloom into something tangible.
DJ Steward
Question: Can Steward show enough promise to earn a full contract?
DJ Steward went undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft and has bounced around various G-League teams over the past couple of years. He recently signed a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls towards the end of Summer League. While not exactly a rookie, Steward has never played a game in the NBA. As a two-way player for a Bulls team moving towards a rebuild, he can get his chance. He is a talented offensive player at the guard position who can score all over the floor. He can get to the rim, score in the mid-range, and knock down shots from beyond the arc. His scoring was on full display at Summer League, where he had multiple double-digit scoring games. That included a 37-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks.
At Summer League, it was clear that Steward had the potential to be more than a two-way player. The question for Steward is whether or not he can show enough of his potential or promise to earn a standard contract. There are two important things Steward needs to show to achieve success. First, Steward needs to show that he can translate his scoring against actual NBA players. He needs to show that he can go against NBA players looks like he can keep up. Steward also needs to improve in other parts of his game where he is lacking. Particularly, Steward needs to improve his playmaking as he tends to be turnover-prone. Defensively, he can stand to be more focused, though he will never be great due to his size. Regardless, if Steward can achieve success in these areas, then there is a future contract waiting for him.
