One of the most confusing cases of the 2024-25 Chicago Bulls is why their newest rookie, Matas Buzelis, only averages 12 minutes per contest. On a contending team with playoff aspirations, it would be understandable that a rookie doesn’t see the floor much in exchange for a win-now contributor. In Chicago’s case, the fanbase frustrations are based on the fact that the Bulls are 19-27, including 2-8 over their last ten, and are one game away from being out of the playoff race entirely. If the season ended today, they’d be headed for their third consecutive NBA Play-In Tournament for an opportunity to make the final eight in the Eastern Conference playoff bracket, something they’ve failed to do each of the last two years. Another contributor to the displeasure with Buzelis’s playing time is seeing Patrick Williams, a fifth-year starter in Chicago, playing more than 27 minutes per night, as he’s done all four of his healthy seasons in the NBA. Head coach Billy Donovan has finally chimed in on the buzz surrounding his rookie forward, do you agree with his stance?
“Not Equipped To Handle 30 Minutes”
Donovan did not dance around the topic when asked why rookie Matas Buzelis has seen a gradually decreased workload over the season despite the worsening record. Most of his answers revolved around how Buzelis was not ready defensively or offensively to contribute to winning consistently. Some may argue this is due to the lack of steady minutes or a stable rotation, but Donovan believes his youngster is too often exposed on the big stage. The numbers show that the 20-year-old leads Chicago in blocked shots, leads the entire NBA in opposing field goal percentage, and has demonstrated elite scoring in flashes.
Billy Donovan spoke at length pregame about Matas Buzelis' playing time: "Right now, he's not equipped to handle 30 minutes."
Highlighted how Wiggins immediately targeted Matas in that Warriors loss and what he wants him to learn from that experience: pic.twitter.com/1IazcT8Av0
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) January 25, 2025
Riding Hot Rotations, Not Forcing Minutes
The most confusing part of the agenda of finding Buzelis more playing time is the lack of intention to get him on the floor. If the Bulls were in a position to be fighting for a playoff spot or a championship run, finding the players who contribute the most to winning basketball makes sense. In a season destined to miss the postseason entirely, it’s hard to understand why the focus would not turn to developing the youngest assets within the franchise to benefit the future.
Billy Donovan on Matas Buzelis not playing in the second half: “I kind of lost him.”
Liked his aggressiveness, but didn’t want to force Matas back into the rotation after a good third quarter from that group. https://t.co/pF5XYzv8rZ pic.twitter.com/Sr7fYgOUfv
— Julia Poe (@byjuliapoe) January 21, 2025
Williams is averaging over double the minutes of Buzelis, which is grounds alone to move on from Donovan and the current front office. There’s no commendable justification for that decision, and until it either turns to wins or benefits the future, the fanbase will continue to question the puzzling choices of both parties.
Will a potential trade deadline purge see Buzelis a significant uptick in minutes as Chicago slides down the standings without their aging assets?
