Despite being selected with the 11th overall pick in this past summer’s NBA draft, Bulls rookie forward Matas Buzelis has seen limited playing time under head coach Billy Donovan during his first professional season.
Donovan has openly expressed that he is focusing on utilizing more experienced players in his rotation, with an emphasis on immediate team success, as reported by Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
The strategist acknowledged the difficult balance he faces between developing Buzelis and ensuring that the team is positioned for victories.
“The balance between (Buzelis) and also the responsibility to try and make decisions that I feel are the best to put the team in position to win,” Donovan explained.
“This is not to be critical of Matas, but when there are things going on out there that he is not doing a good enough job on, I can’t just keep on keeping him out there. He’s got to have a level of responsibility.”
In his comments, the coach clarified that his decisions regarding Buzelis’ playing time are driven by the need for immediate results, highlighting that rookie players must demonstrate consistency and responsibility to earn more minutes.
Although Buzelis’ potential remains clear, the coach’s priority is ensuring the team’s overall performance, which sometimes requires a more veteran presence on the court.
Central Notes: Allen, Cavs Win Streak, Giannis, Buzelis https://t.co/d7MJZpjdL8 pic.twitter.com/T2AYsUMYwn
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 2, 2025
