Bulls Draft Hometown Hero in Best Possible First-Round Outcome

The first round of the NBA Draft went about as well as possible for the Bulls, who selected hometown hero Matas Buzelis at No. 11 after the versatile forward was projected to go in the top six picks.

At 6'10" with silky shooting form and the ability to guard multiple positions, Buzelis is the kind of player who can fit in a variety of systems. Whether or not the Bulls move on from guys like DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine, Buzelis gives the organization a building block.

Most importantly, he gives the fans someone to get excited about as the team potentially transitions to a new core.

Bulls News: Chicago Finds Great Value in F Matas Buzelis

For as much disappointment as Buzelis might have felt as his name wasn't called earlier, his elation at joining the Bulls was the heartfelt moment of the first round. He genuinely wants to build a winner in Chicago. That counts for something.

With the G League Ignite, Buzelis averaged 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 44.5% from the field. He shot only 27.3% from beyond the arc but drilled 42.4% of his three-pointers the year prior, so I believe in his shooting ability long-term.

No matter what happens in the rest of the draft, the Bulls are big winners. Top-five talents like Buzelis, who just spent a year getting acclimated to more physical competition, don't often fall to teams near the end of the lottery like Chicago.

Buzelis can spot-up for shots in the corner or create off the dribble as a point forward, and projects well as a defender. He's a well-rounded player who can help the Bulls in the near future and as they build over the next several years.

The hometown kid is staying home, and Chicago is one step closer to sustaining a winner.

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