Matas Buzelis could be a key part of the Chicago Bulls’ future. The No. 11 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has started to break out since February. On March 22, he dropped a career-high 31 points against the playoff-bound Los Angeles Lakers.

Buzelis still gets that tough-love treatment despite scoring 31 points under the bright lights of Hollywood last week, but rather than push back on coach Billy Donovan, the rookie is embracing it.

Instead, Holland’s slide was stopped at No. 5 by the Pistons, and it was instead Ignite forward Matas Buzelis that fell deep into the lottery to the Bulls. At around 6-foot-10, many teams were likely scared off by Buzelis’ similarly potentially limiting offense and spotty defense.