Maybe the rest of the NBA doesn't get it yet, but Chicago Bulls fans certainly do: Matas Buzelis is truly a special player. As he heads into his second professional season, Buzelis is one reason for Bulls fans to stay optimistic about the future.
We're all aware of the situation Chicago remains in as a team. They've unfortunately been stuck in limbo for what feels like forever. The Bulls' promising 2021-22 campaign went downhill after Lonzo Ball went down due to injury, and they never reached that level again.
If you want to really contextualize Chicago's current situation, just think of it this way: the Charlotte Hornets have won a home playoff game more recently than the Bulls have. It's more than fair for a large portion of the fanbase to be a bit pessimistic, and I won't argue with those who are calling for major changes because it probably needs to be done.
But if there's one thing near the top of the list of reasons fans can be optimistic, it's Buzelis. Is it that unrealistic to say he could be a budding star ready to break out right under everyone's nose? I don't think so.
Matas Buzelis has a bright future ahead of him
Number 14 stands at 6-foot-10 and still has plenty of room to fill out his frame with due time. But even with his current build, Matas is already a plus defender and interior presence. Combine that with his respectable three-point shot that took many by surprise in his rookie season, and you've got the makings of a real needle-moving player.
There's a few different directions Buzelis' career can take. If he develops into a full-blown star and elevates himself to the level of the Bulls' new franchise player, we'd be talking about a serious change of fate for this organization. But even if he becomes just a solid starting-level player, which I believe is closer to his floor, that's still a more than favorable outcome.
Let's also not forget that Chicago got him as an absolute draft steal. With the 11th pick in 2024, the Bulls snagged Buzelis and didn't leave any realistically better prospects on the board with the next several picks after him.
There's still a long way to go in Matas Buzelis' journey, but what we're seeing so far has been promising. If Bulls fans want to hold onto hope for the future, do it while thinking about what this guy can become.