As the Chicago Bulls head into the offseason, they have some very important decisions to make that could impact their future for years to come. While they first need to lock down their stars for the next few seasons, there are a few other players on the roster who, if kept, will be significant contributors to their success.
Specifically, the team should prioritize keeping Matas Buzelis and Kevin Huerter, who each had strong showings in the tail end of the 2024-25 regular season. On the other hand, after years of long-term injuries and significant time off the court, Chicago should look into moving away from Lonzo Ball. The team should capitalize on his trade value while it still exists, and finally say goodbye after a failed experiment.
Matas Buzelis
Following years of what could be seen as subpar drafting in the lottery, Chicago lucked out by selecting Buzelis with the 11th pick of the 2024 NBA Draft. While it took him a few months to get acclimated to the league, by the end of the season, Buzelis was a main contributor for the Bulls. From February to April, he played an average of 27 minutes a night and was a top-five scorer on the team.
Buzelis is still on his rookie deal, so it isn't a stretch to say that he'll be expected back on the team next season. But his performance late in the year painted the picture of him as a main piece of Chicago's plan for the future.
While other top draft picks in recent years like Patrick Williams and Ayo Dosunmu have been more long-term projects, Buzelis looks ready to contribute at a high level entering his second year in the league. His size, athleticism, and confidence are all signs that he will only grow as a player, especially when given the playing time and development from the team.
Buzelis finished the year averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and an assist per game and made the NBA All-Rookie second team. He played in 80 total games, which was the most on the team. Buzelis also finished the year in the top ten among rookies in most statistical categories and was only the sixth rookie ever to shoot perfectly in a game on at least ten attempts.
Buzelis is set to make five million next year with a team option in 2027 and 2028 for a combined $12 million. For a player of his caliber and potential, Chicago needs to take advantage of getting him at a discount for the next three seasons.
The evidence is there, and the quick rise of Buzelis after the All-Star break proves that he could be a big-time player for Chicago in the near future.
Kevin Huerter
The Bulls received Huerter as part of the Zach LaVine trade involving the Sacramento Kings. Though he played in just 26 games after arriving in Chicago, Huerter elevated his game in head coach Billy Donovan's fast-paced and three-point-heavy offense.
His points per game nearly doubled, and his three-point percentage jumped significantly once he joined the Bulls in early February. While Huerter was struggling to find playing time on the Kings, he flourished in his role with Chicago.
As the Bulls look like they will prioritize youth and dynamic play with their young stars, Huerter perfectly slides in as a spot-up shooter with valuable experience. His 37.6% from three was top-four on the team amongst players that had significant minutes. His seven years in the league would be tied for the most amongst Chicago's expected returning roster next season.
What could be seen as the biggest hurdle for Huerter for the Bulls is the $17 million he will be owed next season. However, getting a sharpshooter who has appeared in at least 64 games in all but one year of his career has value for Chicago. Instead of using that money to sign an unproven young player or an aging big man, keeping Huerter for at least next season is worth the money.
Huerter averaged around 14 points, three rebounds, and three assists per game in the final two months of the season for the Bulls.
Lonzo Ball
After years of confusing injuries, limited minutes, and an overall disappointing tenure, it might be time for the Bulls to say goodbye to Ball. At his peak, Ball is one of the most exciting, creative, and unselfish players in the league, but that hasn't been seen since the 2021-22 season.
Yes, there has been a long history of unexplained knee injuries and other maladies, but Chicago can't keep waiting on Ball to return to his form from more than three years ago. He has never played more than 65 games in a season, and despite his obvious skill, just hasn't been on the court enough to justify his contract.
Chicago did Ball a solid by giving him a two-year, $20 million extension after he missed two straight seasons due to injury. But even then, is it worth it to have a player who has been featured in just 70 games since 2021?
Ball came to the Bulls in hopes of being a strong piece around LaVine and Nikola Vucevic, but with that era now over, it looks like it is time for Chicago to move on from him as well. In flashes, the talent is still there, but it just never seemed to work out for Ball in the Windy City.
Despite his recent injury history, Ball has most recently been in trade rumors with the Dallas Mavericks. While they look to rebuild around Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, and other young talent, Ball's move to Texas could work out for both the Bulls and Mavericks.
Dallas has multiple players with similar contract numbers to Ball, and getting a player like Naji Marshall or Caleb Martin in return could prove beneficial.
The 2025 offseason could be a turning point for the Chicago Bulls, but only if they make the right moves to set themselves up for a strong future. Besides keeping their top young stars, locking down players like Buzelis and Huerter could be key in advancing past the Play-In Tournament.
In the same vein, moving on from a player like Ball could give them a chance to fully refresh from a failed construction of a team that has been nearly dismantled anyway. Though he seemed to have a connection with the city and the team's fans, trading Ball now might be the best option, especially if a team like Dallas has interest.