As the Chicago Bulls look to the future, they\u2019re not just hoping their young players improve, they\u2019re banking on it. Each one has their own area to focus on, and the assignments aren\u2019t exactly light. That begs the question: Will the rookie wing Metas Buzelis patch the team spot that is said to be the weakest?<\/p>\n
Take Noa Essengue<\/a>, the 12th overall pick. Just 18 years old, he stepped into the league at 6’10” and 200 pounds, long, athletic, but raw. The plan? Add some serious muscle and bring more physicality to his game so he can hold his own in the paint. Then there\u2019s Josh Giddey<\/a>; His offensive game has never been in question, but perimeter defense? That\u2019s where the Bulls want to see a shift and this is a make-or-break area for him.<\/p>\n In the meantime, Isaac Okoro<\/a> (24) and Julian Phillips<\/a> (21) are in similar boats as they both bring energy and flashes of athleticism. But what is missing is a real off-the-dribble threat. If they can\u2019t start creating more for themselves, then it is going to limit their ceiling. Dalen Terry<\/a> might not have everything figured out yet, but the guy\u2019s got the tools, plays with real energy, and never cheats the game when it comes to effort. But unless he starts knocking down shots from deep consistently, he might struggle to carve out a lasting role. Shooting is non-negotiable in today\u2019s game.<\/p>\n Let’s be real here: when it comes to this particular Bulls\u2019 squad, Matas Buzelis<\/a> is the one everyone is watching most closely. And it\u2019s not just because he\u2019s 6’10” with guard-like handles. It\u2019s because Chicago sees him as the guy, even though his rookie season was more about fitting in than standing out. At just 20, Buzelis showed flashes, quick drives, solid spot-up shooting, and opportunistic finishes in transition.<\/p>\n But one thing that was noticeably missing? Playmaking. That\u2019s exactly why the Chicago Bulls<\/a> took a chance on him, hoping for a big guy who could actually run the offense and create opportunities. What they got, at least early on, was mostly a complementary scorer. Nearly 70% of his two-pointers were assisted, same with most of his threes. In total, around 88% of his shot attempts came either right at the basket or beyond the arc. More than three-fourths of them were assisted. And that’s not the version of Buzelis most fans expected.<\/p>\nAll Eyes on Buzelis\u2019 Next Step<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Unlocking Buzelis\u2019 Full Potential<\/strong><\/h4>\n