LAS VEGAS — In his 2025 Summer League debut Friday, it was obvious that Bulls forward Matas Buzelis had added some muscle to his 6-10 frame entering his second season.
What couldn’t be seen as easily was the confidence he has added in terms of becoming a leader.
That’s the other jump the Bulls would like to see from him. So far, so good.
Buzelis was the vocal leader on the bench during timeouts and has tried to inform the Summer League players about the obstacles that await, whether they are fortunate to earn a spot on the Bulls’ roster or have to deal with life in the G League.
Buzelis played 26 games in the G League before the Bulls selected him in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2024, then spent some practice time and a game with the Windy City Bulls last season.
So when rookie forward Noa Essengue turned in a dismal performance in his Summer League debut against the Raptors, Buzelis gave him a pep talk afterward.
‘‘You’ve got to have a short memory,’’ Buzelis said he told Essengue during their discussion. ‘‘He’s a great defender. He’s got great defensive instincts. Offensively, he’ll be fine. You can see other guys. [Spurs star Victor] Wembanyama, it was tough for him in the first game. I didn’t play well [last year], either. He’ll be fine. I don’t think anyone should be stressing about it.’’
Bad timing
Life for NBA restricted free agents this summer continues to be one gut punch after another. Such has been the case for Bulls guard Josh Giddey.
Because of the penalties in the first and second salary-cap thresholds now smacking teams in the face, players have been unable to involve teams in a bidding war. That’s where the Giddey situation stood Saturday.
The Sun-Times reported last week that Giddey’s camp still was hoping for a contract akin to the $30 million per year guard Jalen Suggs got from the Magic, but the Bulls haven’t gone there. The dialogue between the sides has remained good, but there is still no resolution.
And rumors the Bulls were interested in a sign-and-trade deal for the Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga have quieted substantially.