Everyone is watching Caleb Wilson score 17.7 points per game this preseason, but that is not the only story that should have Bulls fans excited. The real development arc belongs to Matas Buzelis, who is shifting from a raw rookie into the team’s future leader while Wilson chases rookie of the year honors.
Wilson has the flash. Yahoo Sports reports that during the 2026-27 preseason, he is shooting 44.2% from the field while averaging 2.3 assists, four rebounds, and 17.7 points. He kicked the ball out to Buzelis for a three-pointer against the Denver Nuggets, showing he can make the right play. But Buzelis is doing the quiet work that wins championships.
The Quiet Grind of a Future Leader
Buzelis is not waiting for a spotlight. He is in the weight room and focused on maintaining his speed and agility. “For me, it’s been the weight room but also maintaining my speed and agility,” Buzelis said of his summer via the Bulls X account.
He also knows his game needs more than just raw athleticism. He is working on shooting off the dribble and handling the ball better when defenders go under screens. “Shooting off the dribble, shooting when they go under the screen, more ball handling, setting screens — that’s what I’ve been working on,” Buzelis said.
Pippen Ain’t Easy reports that Buzelis is prepared to become the Bulls’ leader this season. This is a massive shift for a player who was once just an explosive rookie. The team needs a steady hand, and Buzelis is building the skills to hold it.
A Partnership Built on Trust
Wilson and Buzelis have a connection that goes beyond just playing together. Wilson has said he really likes Nikola Jokic. “I really like Jokić, that’s my favorite player!” Wilson said at the time. He even posted on Instagram that Jokic was “bro was my favorite player when I was younger.”
That respect translates to the court. In a game against the Nuggets, Wilson came off his man for backside help and emphatically rejected a shot attempt by Jamal Murray with his left hand. The Nuggets defeated the Bulls 133-128, but the defensive effort showed promise.
Buzelis sees the potential in this duo. Weeks prior, he stated that he and Wilson could constitute “a problem” for the remainder of the league this season. This confidence stems from observing Wilson score a minimum of 15 points in all three of his preseason appearances.
While Wilson has a 40-inch vertical leap and a 7-foot, 1/4-inch wingspan, his stats alone do not make the Bulls a winner. The team needs Buzelis to step up as the face of the franchise. The Chicago Sun-Times notes that Buzelis turned from an explosive rookie to a legitimate starter before Wilson even arrived in Chicago.
