Getty
Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls during an NBA game.
Second-year forward Matas Buzelis is already looking forward to the offseason and making some improvements in himself.
The young Chicago Bulls star is one of the most improved players this season. He’s averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
However, Buzelis’ play on the court barely had an effect on the Bulls’ campaign. Chicago is heading toward their worst season since 2021. They were off to a great start before things fell apart after the third week.
Buzelis Tired of Getting Pushed Around
GettyNaz Reid #11 of the Minnesota Timberwolves dribbles against Matas Buzelis #14 of the Chicago Bulls during the second half at the United Center on December 29, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
Speaking to The Chicago Tribune’s Julie Poe, Buzelis admitted that he was tired of getting outmuscled inside the paint. He knows he needs to be stronger, which he will be prioritizing this summer.
“I mean, look at me. I’m skinny as hell,” Buzelis said. “I definitely have to add strength. Your body’s a temple, so you really want to take care of it.”
Standing at 6-foot-8, Buzelis is the prototypical forward, but he is only listed at 196 pounds. He does need to bulk up, especially if he’s playing more power forward next season.
Coach Billy Donovan Urges Buzelis to Get Stronger
Bulls coach Billy Donovan, whose future in Chicago is up in the air, also wants Buzelis to get stronger this summer.
Donovan told The Chicago Tribune that Buzelis’ athleticism helps in some ways, but it has been neutralized by stronger forwards. The coach was confident about his young player taking his body more seriously, entering his third season.
“He’s got to get stronger,” Donovan said. “That’s the biggest thing — fighting over screens, on the glass. Sometimes the strength part neutralizes his athleticism and neutralizes his skills. … For a young player, putting on good quality strength can make them a lot better. He needs that. I think you’re seeing that. I’m glad that’s getting exposed, because that’s something we can address in the offseason.”
According to ESPN’s Jamal Collier, Bulls CEO and team president Michael Reinsdorf wants Donovan to remain with the franchise. Reinsdorf is expected to give the coach some influence in choosing the next head of basketball operations.
The Bulls fired vice president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on Monday.
Is Buzelis Part of the Bulls’ Future?
GettyMatas Buzelis #14 of the Chicago Bulls goes up for a dunk against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at the United Center on October 22, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
On the latest Ask Sam Mailbag on NBA.com, Bulls analyst Sam Smith answered questions about the team. One of them was about the future of Buzelis in Chicago and whether he’s going to be a pillar for the next generation.
“Matas has the athletic talent, but needs to get a feel for being a basketball player, like that last minute in San Francisco when he was firing away threes when he just needed to run some clock,” Smith wrote. “He’s still playing more than thinking the game.”
Smith added that Buzelis is ahead of schedule in his development, considering he was drafted out of the failed NBA G League Ignite project.
Juan Paolo David Juan Paolo David is a sports journalist covering basketball for Heavy. He has a decade of experience writing about the NBA and WWE. He’s currently based in the Philippines. More about Juan Paolo David
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