The Chicago Bulls signed Norman Powell to a two-year deal in free agency, which clearly shows the franchise doesn’t want Matas Buzelis as their number one option. Chicago dumped Coby White, Nikola Vucevic, and Ayo Dosunmu at the deadline, which left the 2024 lottery pick as the number one scorer. From Feb. 5 to the end of the season, Buzelis averaged 18.8 points and took 14.8 shots per game, which topped the Bulls, but his 54.2 effective field goal percentage left plenty to be desired.
Powell has averaged over 21 points per game for two straight years and just made his first All-Star appearance. He is a bucket that has produced a 56.8 effective field goal percentage over his last 1,840 shots.
The Bulls clearly didn’t want to enter the season with Buzelis as their number one option, especially after the NBA’s lottery changes. They just drafted Caleb Wilson, who also likely leaps Matas in the pecking order. Chicago won just four of the 26 games Buzelis played in after the trade deadline. The Bulls want to avoid the relegation zone and clearly see Matas as more of a tertiary offensive option than the go-to.
Norman Powell signing proves Bulls don’t see Matas Buzelis as number one option
The Bulls had cap space and could have signed anyone. They used the majority of it trading for Nicolas Claxton and signing Powell. Getting an All-Star for $22.5 million was great business by Chicago, but there were other options. Chicago wanted a go-to scorer, which shows they don’t think that is Buzelis' optimal role.
The Bulls aren’t wrong. His efficiency dropped significantly in the expanded role. He shot 47. 3 percent from the field and 36.6 percent on his threes in the first 51 games. Those numbers dropped to 44.8 and 32.9 as the number one option.
The 21-year-old has a versatile skill set that the Bulls should be trying to maximize. Maybe new head coach Tiago Splitter can turn him into an elite scorer like he did Deni Avdija, but the more likely path is that Buzelis is the number three offensive option on a title contender.
The 6’8 forward improved significantly in his second NBA season, and Bulls fans hope that growth continues. There is no shame in being the OG Anunoby or Chet Holmgren on a title team. Both players made a significant defensive impact along with being the number three option on a title team. That could be Matas if everything breaks right.
Chicago signed Norman Powell to be their bucket-getter. He will take over 15 shots per game and average over 21 points again. The Bulls won’t be pressing for the playoffs, so the 33-year-old will be free to fire away. Expect some monster games and some frustrating moments from the All-Star wing.
The Chicago Bulls clearly don’t view Matas Buzelis as the number one offensive option on a contending team. That could have let him grow into that role this season, but signing Powell eliminates that. Buzelis is likely their number three moving forward. Chicago still needs to find the true alpha if they are going to get back in the title picture, but Powell will be a fine stopgap bucket-getter until the Bulls get some more lottery luck.
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