The Chicago Bulls entered a new era this summer. Under new general manager Bryson Graham and head coach Tiago Splitter, it's a new day in Chicago. The organization has finally embraced the rebuild and the youth project that comes with it. Lucking into the fourth-overall pick certainly helped things along the way, but the future in Chicago hasn't looked this bright in a long time.
The main reason why is the wing duo of Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson. The two forwards can make up the backbone of a sustainable winner for years to come thanks to their size, athleticism, and versatility.
Matas Buzelis-Caleb Wilson duo can be the centerpieces of the next great Bulls team
The most difficult player type to find in the NBA is a two-way forward. There is a scarcity of wings who can defend multiple positions, handle the ball, shoot, and score.
These types of players make roster building so much easier thanks to their plug-and-play ability. You can put a floor-spacing big next to them and have an elite offense, or a rim-protecting center and be an elite defensive unit. You can play them off the ball if you have a ball-dominant guard, or you can have them handle the ball and surround them with elite shooters.
The Bulls may potentially have two of these players in Buzelis and Wilson.
Buzelis took a major step forward last season. He increased his efficiency to 58.6% True Shooting despite a boost in his usage rate to 22.8%. He increased his rebounding, assist, steal, and block rates across the board, while getting to the free-throw line more and attempting more threes. The Lithuanian forward clearly has the makings of a modern, prototypical forward.
Wilson showcased his incredible upside in his first Summer League game on Friday. When his outside shot was supposed to be his biggest weakness, he went 7/11 from downtown, on a diet that included difficult, off-the-dribble shots. Combine that with his elite athletic and physical tools, and Wilson has the chance to be a star in this league. He also showcased his defensive ceiling with two steals and three blocks in his Summer League debut.
The half-court offense will be a work in progress as both players need to improve their shot creation and ball-handling. In transition, however, they will immediately be a force to be reckoned with.
Buzelis and Wilson are 21 and 19, respectively. It will take time for them to become a star duo, but very few teams have two young wings with legitimate All-Star potential.
It has been a while since the Bulls had two players on their roster with such upside. If Buzelis can continue his development from his second season and Wilson's shooting proves to be a real weapon, Chicago may already have the starting forward combo of the next great Bulls team.
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