Here's the latest Chicago Bulls news one week out from the 2025 NBA Draft, featuring more concrete Jonathan Kuminga links, Ayo Dosunmu's Matas Buzelis comments and an update on the team's draft-night strategy.
Dosunmu compares Buzelis' future impact to two-time MVP
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in his rookie season, but as his playing time gradually increased, so did his impact. He started the final 31 games of his debut campaign and averaged 13.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists with shooting splits of 47/35/81. He also posted 1.1 blocks per game and led the team in swatted shots for the season with 75.
Buzelis showed a rare level of explosion and athleticism for a 6-foot-10 forward, his shooting efficiency improved and he earned his teammates' respect with his relentless motor and competitiveness.
That respect has only increased during the offseason, particularly from guard Ayo Dosunmu who gave him the loftiest of praise:
“Matas is a hard worker, a tremendous worker,” Dosunmu said, per Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. “He loves the work. I have high praises for him, high expectations for him. I’m seeing him in person, him getting stronger. He’s starting to realize how strong he is and how he’s able to dominate. I know Giannis is a Hall of Famer, top 20, top 30 player [all time], but Matas has a chance to really dominate the game like that."
Buzelis likely isn't a future multi-time MVP, but the 20-year-old's potential is sky high. He showed glimpses of it at the end of last season.
Jonathan Kuminga rumors officially gaining steam
Jonathan Kuminga makes sense for the Chicago Bulls. No one on the roster has the physical attributes Kuminga does as a long, strong, explosive combo forward who also happens to be only 22 years old. As an restricted free agent who hasn't locked up a rotation spot in Golden State after three years with the team, moving on makes sense for both him and the Warriors.
It's easy to see how a Kuminga deal would come together for Chicago, but there haven't been any concrete reports linking the two. Until now.
Michael Scotto of HoopsHype earlier this week wrote that the Bulls and Miami Heat have interest in the young forward. Scotto added that any deal for Kuminga would need to be a sign-and-trade and that the Warriors and Bulls had discussions around Nikola Vucevic at least year's trade deadline, so they already have open communication.
Chicago has its own restricted free agent in Josh Giddey, and bringing him back would complicate any potential Kuminga deal, but Kuminga is a better fit for the Bulls and should arguably take precedence over locking up Giddey long-term.
Bulls' 2025 NBA Draft priority becoming clear
It should come as no surprise, but Chicago is honing in on selecting a center with the No. 12 pick in June 25th's draft, per insider Marc Stein. The Bulls fielded the worst interior defense in the league last season and allowed the third-most points per game.
Adding strong defenders at any position, whether in the draft or free agency, should be a priority for Chicago this offseason. At this point, it looks like that's the direction in which they're headed.