Bulls forward Matas Buzelis doesn’t need a strong showing Saturday in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest to be a player to watch the rest of the season.
With 29 games left in his first NBA campaign, the 6-10 forward has bigger priorities than showing off his dunking ability. He needs to continue improving his defense, understanding tendencies, digesting film and working toward a consistent identity on offense.
As the Bulls (22-31) get healthier, he doesn’t even know if he’ll stay in the starting lineup.
“To me, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “Whatever role that [coach]Billy [Donovan] tells me to play, I’ll do it. I’m starting now, but it could change moving forward. It doesn’t matter to me.”
But to the Bulls and their fans, everything Buzelis does at this point matters. There has been little to invest hope in this season. Fair or unfair, that attention has fallen on Buzelis, 20.
The “it” factor he showed in Summer League play in July has resurfaced since his minutes were increased two weeks ago. It’s no longer about being concerned about his floor but getting excited about his ceiling.
He isn’t the only Bull to keep an eye on. Here are three more who merit following:
1. Josh Giddey
The 22-year-old point guard, who came to the Bulls from the Thunder in July in the Alex Caruso trade, will get an extension this summer. From whom and for how much remains unknown.
Earlier in the season, Giddey was initially looking for a contract in the same range as the Magic’s Jalen Suggs — around $30 million a year — but the Bulls were nowhere near that number. And the market is on their side.
Because Giddey will be a restricted free agent, the Bulls can allow him to test the waters, let the market set a price and then decide whether to match it or let him walk. The good news is there aren’t many teams with cap room heading into the offseason. The bad news is it only takes one.
Giddey needs to show in these final 29 games that he’s not just a numbers-stuffer. In games the Bulls have won, he’s averaging 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists while shooting 40.2% from three-point range. In games they have lost, he’s averaging 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 29% from three-point range. Fix that and his defense, and there’s something there.
2. Kevin Huerter
His Bulls debut Saturday against the Warriors was dismal. He went 1-for-7 from the field and looked every bit like a player who’d practiced once with his new team after arriving from Sacramento in a three-way trade that sent Zach LaVine to the Kings.
Huerter, a shooter, is is signed through next season, and the Bulls have to decide whether he’s a keeper or another piece to try to move this summer.
If Huerter can again shoot 40.2% from three-point range while averaging 15.2 points, as he did two seasons ago, he’d be a keeper as a key bench player to fit Donovan’s philosophy.
3. Coby White
With Giddey a priority to bring back, the Bulls may have to make a tough decision this summer. Do they stick with White and remain crowded at point guard or move on from him in a trade, instead keeping Ayo Dosunmu as Giddey’s running mate?
White has the rest of the season to show he and Giddey can function more consistently together.
