Matas Buzelis Seems to Be Everyone's Favorite Breakout Pick

Matas Buzelis, the second-year forward for the Chicago Bulls, has been predicted to break out by several prominent writers and analysts. 

The last few years have not been kind to the Chicago Bulls, one of the most successful franchises in NBA history. But along with a lack of success comes lottery picks in the draft.

In 2024, the Bulls selected Buzelis with the 11th overall selection. It was seen as a coup. The Lithuanian forward was at one point considered to be a candidate to go first overall and was in many services' top five. 

Only 20 years old throughout the 2024-25 season, Buzelis was a rotation player right away for the Bulls. He showed off his athleticism midway through the season as a competitor in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. His shooting numbers were also impressive: 45.4% from the field, 36.1% from three, and 81.5% from the line. 

What really stood out was the way that Buzelis played in the second half. In his final ten games with the team, he averaged 14.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. 

That success was continued this year in the summer league. The forward had a massive game against the Indiana Pacers, scoring 28 points in 32 minutes, also adding five rebounds and two steals.  

There will be plenty of opportunity for Buzelis to continue to ascend toward the top of the league during the 2025-26 season. He is expected to start at power forward and should play major minutes for the Bulls.