Matas Buzelis Signs, Nikola Vucevic’s Trade Market, A Perfect Brand Deal, and Other Bulls Bullets

Without America, we don’t have basketball. Without basketball, we don’t have the Chicago Bulls. Without the Chicago Bulls, we don’t have Michael Jordan. Without Michael Jordan, we literally have nothing to be proud of as Bulls fans.

So … happy birthday, ‘Merica!

  • Technically, the Chicago Bulls made a couple of roster moves on Tuesday. The first came via the official signing of Matas Buzelis, who could make $23.9 million over his first NBA deal, per Spotrac. The No. 11 pick will have a starting salary of $5.2 million and will make as much as $7.6 million in 2027-28 (as long as the Bulls exercise his options). Let’s hope by then we’re talking about a max extension!
  • The other move reportedly brought Adama Sanogo back to Chicago. The big man is said to have inked a fresh two-way contract with the organization, which sure feels like a win after last year’s remarkable G-League play. I honestly thought that some rebuilding team could try to take a chance on him, especially after he put together a 22-point, 20-rebound effort at the end of the regular season against Washington. However, his size and lack of athletic burst will likely continue to be a hurdle when it comes to earning a full-time roster spot.
  • The good news for Sanogo is that Chicago may be the perfect place for him this season. With the front office learning toward a youth movement, there could be room for him to see legitimate minutes. This is especially true if the Chicago Bulls found a trade partner for Nikola Vucevic.
  • Speaking of Nikola Vucevic, he may not end up on the move this summer, but I think his market could come together in the regular season. He projects to have a pretty sizable offensive role on this current roster after years of being either the No. 3 or No. 4 option. Will that help boost his numbers and thus his stock? I think so, particularly if the 3-point shooting numbers trend back in the right direction. Vucevic also feels like the kind of mid-cost veteran contending teams could view as a difference-maker at the deadline. He’s a good connective passer, strong screener, pick-and-pop threat, and reliable rebounder. While $20.0 million certainly isn’t cheap for a center, it isn’t the toughest contract to acquire.
  • Something has got to give with DeMar DeRozan, right? He is easily the most impactful name left on the open market, and I find it shocking that teams aren’t working hard to find a way to sign him. I understand if the money is a bit off-putting, but it’s not like DeRozan hasn’t proven to be worth every penny in recent years. He’s repeatedly among the league’s elite closers and scorers. The Lakers, Kings, and Heat have all done very little to improve their rosters this offseason. Signing DeRozan can immediately change that! Does he automatically turn a team into a true title threat? No. But he can improve a team’s ceiling drastically and account for a handful of regular-season wins. Frequently banged-up squads like the Lakers and Heat should be working hard to land him.
  • Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls
    © Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

  • Angel Reese is reportedly inching closer to the perfect endorsement deal. According to TMZ, the WNBA All-Star is in talks with Reese’s. The world needs Reese’s Reese’s!
  • ICYMI: Lonzo Ball was doing real things on a basketball court …
  • HOW!?
  • Is this the right idea for the Blackhawks’ newest prospect?
  • written by

    Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

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