The Bulls are playing their hand slowly, but they’re playing it.
Call that progress for an organization that was dug firmly in the sands of continuity for almost three disappointing seasons.
Less than a week after trading All-Defensive guard Alex Caruso to the Thunder for 21-year-old point guard Josh Giddey, the Bulls used the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday to continue their retooling, selecting 19-year-old Matas Buzelis with the 11th overall pick.
‘‘When I last saw you guys [in April], I told you that we needed to make changes, and we have started that process,’’ executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said. ‘‘While I cannot speak to all of the potential changes, it’s hard to predict what we will look like in a week or two.’’
They already look younger, that’s for sure.
In grabbing the promising wing forward, who was born and raised in the Chicago area and attended Hinsdale Central for his freshman year of high school, the hope is that Buzelis can add athleticism and rim protection while also having time to develop and add some strength. The Bulls still hope to keep restricted free agent Patrick Williams when free agency begins next week.
Admittedly, adding strength was a top priority Buzelis mentioned when asked about needed improvements.
‘‘I need to work on getting stronger,’’ Buzelis said. ‘‘That’s going to come eventually. Shooting, working on shooting a little bit more. What translates? Blocking shots, pushing the ball in transition, getting right into our offense, being a good teammate.’’
Expected to be selected as early as No. 5, Buzelis had a private workout with the Bulls in Los Angeles during the predraft process. But actually being drafted led to a show of emotions.
‘‘Super-thankful, very grateful,’’ Buzelis said. ‘‘Me being born and raised there, it just makes it so much better. It means everything to me. I can’t even explain it.’’
That doesn’t mean there isn’t serious work to be done in his game. He averaged 14.3 points and 2.1 blocks for the G League Ignite, but he also shot only 26% from three-point range.
As they are constructed right now, the Bulls still lack outside shooting. And moving Caruso, who was a 40% three-point shooter this past season, for Giddey didn’t help.
But what the pick means is that Karnisovas continues to insulate the roster for possible major changes.
What if another team sets the market price on Williams way too high for the Bulls to feel comfortable matching? What if free agent DeMar DeRozan opts to walk rather than re-sign with a team that is rebuilding without using that term?
For the first time since last season, DeRozan’s departure is in play.
‘‘We’re going to look at everything,’’ Karnisovas said of DeRozan’s future. ‘‘Everything is on the table, and it’s still an option.’’
The key in all of this, however, is the Bulls’ ability to change their roster but also do what it takes to keep their protected top-10 pick in the first round of the 2025 draft away from the Spurs.
The 2025 draft class has a chance to be elite — and not just among the first few picks. If Karnisovas can pull off the moves he would like to, including trading Zach LaVine and coming to some sort of agreement to part ways with Lonzo Ball, that would set the stage for them to have several young, exciting players to go with Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. It also would make it tough for them not be a lottery team next season.
What was clear is Buzelis seemed prepared for whatever is coming his way.
‘‘I feel like I can bring a lot of things,’’ he said. ‘‘Whatever the coach tells me to do. I’m going to do to the best of my abilities.