Chicago fans were excited to hear the former G-League Ignite wing Matas Buzelis’s name be called, representing their 11th overall pick in the 2024 draft. Many experts and analysts agreed with the pick, and most outlets had the 19-year-old slated to be selected in the top ten. Known for his explosiveness and scoring prowess, Buzelis has quickly made a name for himself in the 2024 NBA Summer League through three appearances. Throwing down monster dunks, running in transition well, and even presenting a legitimate three-point threat, sportsbooks have noticed and shifted their betting lines to reflect his hot start to the offseason.
Typically, the betting lines for the Rookie Of The Year award closely resemble the draft order or vaguely follow the top picks’ structure. In what was infamously known as a weaker draft class this season, that is not the case. Taking an average of the five most commonly used sports gambling websites would show that the ninth overall pick, Zach Edey, has the best odds to bring home the honor of the 2024-25 season’s best rookie. In second place, the third overall pick Reed Sheppard resides, and Atlanta Hawks’ number-one overall selection, Zacharie Risacher, rounds out the top three. Up next? Chicago’s own Matas Buzelis.
Unlike the previous several campaigns, Buzelis will have the chance to impact Chicago’s lineup immediately and be awarded significant court time, something a Bulls’ rookie hasn’t done since the 2020-21 season with fourth overall selection Patrick Williams. His length and undeniable athleticism alone will give plenty of reason for Billy Donovan to deploy the youngster early and often. During Buzelis’s last outing, the broadcast hinted that he might crack Chicago’s starting five following the departure of DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, with Zach LaVine possibly next to go.
Of players who have had at least three games this summer, Buzelis leads the pack in scoring for current draftees. The only three players he trails overall in scoring are two-way players from previous draft classes, and there’s only one other rookie from the 2024 draft class who is averaging better than 20 points per game with him. While it may not translate to immediate success at the professional level, Chicago seems to have finally made a selection well above their draft slot. In the early going, plenty of teams are regretting their decision to let Buzelis slide down their draft boards.
Front office leader Arturas Karnisovas said recently that the decision to head into the season with so much youth and ship away their aging talent was to gauge the progress of the young core. If Chicago were to make the postseason this year, it would take significant growth from their young roster pieces, a win-win scenario for the Bulls. Can Buzelis substantially impact a team that’s missed the playoffs two seasons in a row and saw two of their best veteran talents head elsewhere? Regardless of where the 2024-25 campaign leads, excitement is brewing again for Bulls basketball.
