For Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, draft odds and lottery positioning are of no concern to him. He is interested in winning. Speaking in the locker room following the Chicago Bulls’ 131-99 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, the second-year forward fired back at growing tanking allegations surrounding the franchise’s 10-game losing streak.
“I don’t really like that word,” Buzelis said when asked about the perception that Chicago is angling for lottery position. “People might think that, but I’m going out and trying to win every night. All these guys are, too.”
Following the loss to the Hornets, the Bulls fell to 24-35, extending their longest losing streak in seven years. What began as a competitive Eastern Conference positioning battle in late January has spiraled into a February collapse. Chicago last won on Jan. 31, when it improved to 24-25 and sat ninth in the East. Since then, the slide has been steep.
Deadline Reset Signals Rebuild
The tanking narrative did not emerge in a vacuum. Chicago’s trade-deadline decisions reshaped the roster entirely.
The Bulls moved veterans Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter and others in a series of deals that brought back younger guards, draft capital and developmental pieces. Three of Chicago’s top seven players in minutes per game before the deadline were sent elsewhere.
The front office’s direction signaled a long-overdue reset. Since 2019, the Bulls have finished between sixth and 11th in the Eastern Conference every season, competitive enough to avoid top lottery odds, but not good enough to contend. The franchise has not drafted higher than No. 11 since selecting Patrick Williams fourth overall in 2020.
With 23 games remaining and Chicago outside serious playoff positioning, the Bulls now project toward the lottery in the 2026 NBA Draft. From a front-office standpoint, that positioning has value. From a player’s standpoint, it does not.
Buzelis’ Development Remains the Priority
If there is a silver lining, it is Buzelis’ growth. The No. 11 pick in the 2024 draft has taken a noticeable leap in Year 2.
He is averaging 15.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game on while shooting 47.4 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from three and 77.8 percent from the free throw line. Since the All-Star break and roster overhaul, those numbers have climbed to 17.3 points and 6.1 rebounds with improved efficiency. His effective field goal percentage sits at 58.7 percent during that stretch.
The expanded role has accelerated his development. It has also tested his mental approach.
“I’m always going to wake up with a smile on my face,” Buzelis said. “I try to build a short memory. As soon as I get out of the shower, it’s on to the next game.”
That mindset reflects a competitor, not a tanker. The Bulls may be trending toward the lottery. The standings suggest it. The trades reinforce it. But inside the locker room, Buzelis insists the mission has not changed.
“I’m going to be what the team needs me to be,” he said. “If that’s scoring, that’s what it’s going to be. We’ve got to come in every day ready to work.”
For a franchise resetting its timeline, Buzelis has made one thing clear: development and defeat are not the same thing.
Matas Buzelis Furiously Rejects Tanking Allegations Amid Losing Streak