The Chicago Bulls aren't expected to make much noise in 2026-27. ESPN's Summer Forecast, for instance, projected Chicago to win 31 games and miss the playoffs as the No. 13 seed in the Eastern Conference. Though there's optimism surrounding rookie Caleb Wilson, there's another player who could help the Bulls overachieve: Matas Buzelis.
Buzelis is something of an enigma after two NBA seasons, but he's already showing the potential to become a legitimate two-way star for Chicago.
Buzelis, 21, finished the 2025-26 season with averages of 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.5 blocks, 0.7 steals, and 2.2 three-point field goals made per game. It was an intriguing step forward for the second-year wing, who overcame adverse conditions to prove he's a diamond in the rough.
According to StatMuse, Buzelis became the youngest player in NBA history to record at least 100 blocks and 150 three-point field goals made in a single season—among several other statistical feats.
Matas Buzelis last season:
— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 27, 2026
— Led Bulls in points
— Led Bulls in blocks
— Led Bulls in threes
— Most blocks by a Bull since Robin Lopez
— First Bull with 100+ BLK and 100+ 3P
— Most points by a sophomore
Youngest player ever with 100+ blocks and 150+ threes in a season. pic.twitter.com/ra6xpZ9h4p
That doesn't necessarily guarantee that Buzelis will become a star in the NBA, but he has the potential to be exactly that—and is closer than he may seem.
Matas Buzelis has the tools to be a great two-way player
Buzelis' growth between his rookie and sophomore seasons was nothing short of remarkable. He increased his production from 16.4 to 20.0 points per 36 minutes, all the while increasing his production in rebounds, assists, blocks, steals, and three-point field goals made per 36.
Buzelis also increased his two-point field goal percentage from .540 to .583, his eFG% from .541 to .553, and his true shooting percentage from .571 to .583.
Buzelis also asserted himself more on the defensive end of the floor. In 2024-25, he ranked in the 39th percentile in matchup difficulty and the 16th percentile in perimeter isolation defense, per Basketball Index.
In 2025-26, Buzelis placed in the 72nd percentile in matchup difficulty. Despite taking on tougher assignments, he ranked in the 84th percentile in perimeter isolation defense.
Matas Buzelis is steadily improving as a two-way player
Buzelis also ranked in the 82nd percentile in screener rim defense and the 88th percentile in screener mobile defense, which displays his balanced quality against the pick and roll. As if that weren't enough, he ranked in the 78th percentile in defensive positional versatility.
There are still areas in which Buzelis must improve, including the fact that he ranked in the 20th percentile in one on one shot making efficiency but he's already a legitimate two-way player.
The primary reason to be intrigued by what he already offers on offense is that opponents are already starting to adjust their defense to his presence. In 2025-26, he ranked in the 78th percentile in off-ball gravity and the 87th percentile in guarded matchup difficulty. He also shot 36.5 percent on catch-and-shoot threes and 52.3 percent on 6.7 drives per game.
If Buzelis can build upon his success as a two-way player, then the Bulls may have a legitimate All-Star on their hands sooner than later.
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