By admin 
Matas Buzelis was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the eleventh overall choice in the 2024 NBA Draft.
In a rather weak draft class, the Illinois native might have been selected in the top five, but nobody in Chicago’s front office seemed to mind.
Buzelis had a dismal season with the now-defunct G League Ignite and is very inexperienced.
The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in the G League despite being predicted to be a three-level scorer and knockdown shooter out of high school. However, his shooting splits of 45/27/68 were incredibly inefficient.
However, the Bulls were unable to resist the attraction of a player of Buzelis’ size, combined with his explosiveness, agility, and shooting potential.
The 20-year-old then made an impression during the preseason and at the 2024 NBA Summer League. Buzelis was anticipated to be at least one of the first players off head coach Billy Donovan’s bench, if not an immediate starter, given Chicago’s presumed emphasis on player development.
That hasn’t been the case at all. However, why?
Matas Buzelis’s restricted playing time is explained by Billy Donovan.
Buzelis has played an average of 5.6 minutes in the Bulls’ first five games. In a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 25, he played nine minutes and finished with two points, two assists, and a steal, setting a season high.
Buzelis’ lack of playing time continued to be discussed even after game three. According to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times, Donovan was questioned about it and offered his thoughts on his rookie’s growth and bench position.
“Given the number of individuals we have at that [forward] position, I want to make sure there are groups out there that will work together while also helping Matas grow and develop. Because of the style we’re attempting to play, I believe we’ll need a large number of guys. In order for him to benefit from it, we must figure out how to get him in there whenever possible.”
Billy Donovan of the Bulls on Matas Buzelis
Reiterating his earlier remarks, Donovan stated in a news conference on October 30 according to Chicago Bulls Central that his young forward must do well in his little playing time in order to earn his minutes.
The head coach of Chicago even hinted at a potential return to the G League.
Although that’s not his preferred plan, Buzelis stated that he will take advantage of it if it materializes.
“It is not my intention to be down there if I do go. I’ll strive to earn minutes on the Bulls’ roster by working my way up to the big squad.
However, I don’t consider it disrespectful if I have to go down there. I’m there to grow both as a person and as a basketball player.
Matas Buzelis of the Bulls
The Bulls have a 3-2 record and have won two comeback games thanks in large part to their bench unit. If Chicago wants to accumulate victories, things are going well so far.
But that shouldn’t be the team’s main objective, particularly not when a top-10 pick in the highly anticipated 2025 draft is at stake. Instead of continuously glancing over his shoulder, Buzelis ought to be learning from his mistakes.
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The Chicago Bulls should never have given up on these five previous players. Matas Buzelis was selected by the team at selection No. 11 in the 2024 NBA Draft.
In a rather weak draft class, the Illinois native might have been selected in the top five, but nobody in the Chicago front office seemed to mind.
Buzelis had a dismal season with the now-defunct G League Ignite and is very inexperienced.
The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 14.3 points and 6.9 rebounds in the G League despite being predicted to be a three-level scorer and knockdown shooter coming out of high school. However, his shooting splits of 45/27/68 were incredibly inefficient.
However, the Bulls were unable to resist the attraction of a player of Buzelis’ size, combined with his explosiveness, agility, and shooting potential.
The 20-year-old then made an impression during the preseason and at the 2024 NBA Summer League. Buzelis was anticipated to be at least one of the first players off head coach Billy Donovan’s bench, if not an immediate starter, given Chicago’s presumed emphasis on player development.
That hasn’t been the case at all. However, why?
Matas Buzelis’s restricted playing time is explained by Billy Donovan.
Buzelis has played an average of 5.6 minutes in the Bulls’ first five games. In a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 25, he played nine minutes and finished with two points, two assists, and a steal, setting a season high.
Buzelis’ lack of playing time continued to be discussed even after game three. According to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times, Donovan was questioned about it and offered his thoughts on his rookie’s growth and bench position.
“Given the number of individuals we have at that [forward] position, I want to make sure there are groups out there that will work together while also helping Matas grow and develop. Because of the style we’re attempting to play, I believe we’ll need a large number of guys. In order for him to benefit from it, we must figure out how to get him in there whenever possible.”
Billy Donovan of the Bulls on Matas Buzelis
Reiterating his earlier remarks, Donovan stated in a news conference on October 30 according to Chicago Bulls Central that his young forward must do well in his little playing time in order to earn his minutes.
The head coach of Chicago even hinted at a potential return to the G League. Although that isn’t his ideal plan, Buzelis stated that he will take advantage of it if it materializes.
“It is not my intention to be down there if I do go. I’ll strive to earn minutes on the Bulls’ roster by working my way up to the big squad. However, I don’t consider it disrespectful if I have to go down there. I’m there to grow both as a person and as a basketball player.
Matas Buzelis of the Bulls
The Bulls have a 3-2 record and have won two comeback games thanks in large part to their bench unit. If Chicago wants to accumulate victories, things are going well so far.
But with a top-10 pick up for grabs in a highly anticipated 2025 draft, that shouldn’t be the team’s main objective. Instead of always watching over his shoulder, Buzelis ought to be learning from his failures.