Cooper Neill/NBAE by way of Getty Photos
Matas Buzelis’ 2023-24 season did not go totally in keeping with plan, however he can now have a good time being a lottery decide within the 2024 NBA draft after being chosen No. 11 total by the Chicago Bulls.
Bleacher Report Draft Skilled Jonathan Wasserman’s Scouting Report
Professional Comparability: Hedo Türkoğlu
Scouting Report: NBA groups covet Buzelis’ archetype, being a 6’8″ ball-handling wing with three-point vary and bounce across the rim. Scouts have been turned off at factors this season as a consequence of inconsistent capturing and a passive strategy, however from a pure expertise and ability set perspective, there’s an excessive amount of to love about his positional bodily benefits and scoring versatility.
Zach LaVine, SG: $43M (2027)
Lonzo Ball, PG: $21.4M (2025)
Nikola Vučević, C: $20M (2026)
Coby White, PG: $12M (2026)
Josh Giddey, PG: $8.4M (2025)
Ayo Dosunmu, PG: $7M (2026)
Jevon Carter, PG: $6.5M (2026)
Dalen Terry, SG: $3.5M (2026)
Onuralp Bitim, SG: $1.9M (2026)
Julian Phillips, SF: $1.9M (2026)
Andrew Funk, SG: Two-way (2025)
Patrick Williams, SF: RFA
Torrey Craig, SF: Participant possibility
The absence of a real standout expertise has been a spotlight of the discourse across the 2024 class from the second followers knew how the group was taking form. Early into the method, Buzelis was among the many candidates who staked a declare as the very best participant on the board.
As soon as the season tipped off, nevertheless, the 19-year-old’s inventory steadily started to dip. In 26 video games, he averaged 14.3 factors and 6.9 rebounds whereas capturing 44.5 p.c total and 27.3 p.c from past the arc.
The failings in NBA G League Ignite’s roster have been laid naked as they posted a 2-32 report. The items did not match collectively, and the absence of a real facilitator meant the younger stars similar to Buzelis and Ron Holland could not play to their strengths.
Buzelis nonetheless has the dimensions and athleticism to thrive on the subsequent stage, and his capturing may very well enhance straight out of the gate with a extra structured offense and higher supporting solid round him.