The Chicago Bulls just hired Tiago Splitter as their new head coach in a move that should benefit the entire organization — but considering Splitter helped Deni Avdija become an All-Star last season with the Portland Trail Blazers, it's particularly good news for Matas Buzelis.
Shams Charania of ESPN was the first to break the news of Splitter's hiring.
When Splitter took over in Portland, Avdija was a good player, but not a great one. By the time February rolled around, he had cemented himself as one of the best players in the Western Conference.
Buzelis is already on an upward trajectory after making a considerable leap from year one to year two.
Splitter can help Buzelis take his game to another level — potentially an All-Star one — just as he did with Avdija.
Chicago Bulls hire Tiago Splitter as head coach
Splitter beat out Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori, Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt and current Bulls assistant Wes Unseld Jr. to land the job as Billy Donovan's successor.
Executive VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham decided to hire Splitter because of his "ability to lead the team's player development, organizational alignment on the franchise's direction and vision, and his leadership and knowledge base as a coach," according to Charania.
The 41-year-old brings championship experience to the Windy City. As a player under Gregg Popovich, he won the 2014 NBA Championship. As a head coach, he led Paris Basketball to a French Cup, LNB Elite title and a spot in the EuroLeague playoffs.
Last season, Avdija took over the Trail Blazers after Chauncey Billups' arrest. He led Portland to a 42-40 record and a postseason berth. Before eventually losing to San Antonio in the first round, his team stole a game on the road against the Western Conference champs.
Splitter helped Deni Avdija become an All-Star
In 2024-25 as a member of the Washington Wizards, Avdija averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 72 games (54 starts).
After being traded to Portland, the 25-year-old finished the 2025-26 campaign with averages of 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 66 contests, all of which were starts. He shot 46.2 percent from the field and attempted 9.2 free throws per game.
Splitter built around Avdija's skill set— a unique ability to facilitate out of the pick-and-roll as a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward, and his strength getting downhill and attacking the rim.
Buzelis isn't an identical player, but that may not matter.
Splitter will lean on what Matas Buzelis already does best
Splitter will likely take the same approach he did with Avdija — take what Buzelis is good at and make him better.
The 21-year-old is a jumbo wing who loves to attack the basket. He's an explosive leaper and finisher and an improving 3-point shooter. He can attack closeouts and act as a second-side playmaker.
He's also an instinctual help defender and one of the league's elite shot-blockers at his position.
Splitter will build his scheme around his players' strengths. That's how he helped the Trail Blazers overachieve. He'll do the same for Buzelis, Josh Giddey and potentially Caleb Wilson.
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