The Chicago Bulls just made two important long-term decisions — and the next ones could shape the entire rebuild. 👀🐂
On today’s episode of Locked On Bulls, Haize and Pat The Designer react to Chicago officially exercising the 2027-28 team options on Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue, locking both young forwards in for another season. Matas is now set to make $7.58 million in 2027-28 and becomes extension-eligible next summer, while Noa remains under team control as Chicago continues evaluating his development. Pasted text
The bigger question is what comes next.
Matas averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks last season, and if he takes another major leap, the Bulls could soon be talking about a nine-figure extension. Pasted text
So Haize and Pat debate:
If Matas averages around 21 points, six rebounds and two blocks this season, would you offer him five years and $150 million next summer?
The guys also discuss what a successful second season should look like for Noa Essengue, who is still only 19 and fighting for opportunities in a crowded young forward rotation.
Then the conversation shifts to Norman Powell and a much bigger front-office question: should the Bulls eventually use him as part of a package for an established star instead of simply flipping him for future picks?
Powell is coming off an All-Star season after averaging 21.7 points per game while shooting 38% from three, and his contract includes a team option for 2027-28. Pasted text
That flexibility could make him valuable in a major trade.
Haize and Pat discuss whether Chicago should eventually follow the type of path Indiana took when it traded for Pascal Siakam — using draft capital and movable contracts to accelerate the timeline around a young core. Would a proven All-Star next to Caleb Wilson, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey push Chicago toward real contention, or would that be rushing the rebuild?
Plus, the guys react to the Eastern Conference already showing how brutal Chicago’s path could be.
Detroit opened the season with a win over Boston, while Philadelphia beat the defending champion Knicks. Chicago’s first nine games include seven matchups against Toronto, Boston, New York and Philadelphia, giving Tiago Splitter’s young roster an immediate test. Pasted text Pasted text
The question is not just whether the Bulls win or lose.
The Bulls have moved beyond simply collecting young talent. Now Bryson Graham has to decide when to pay, when to develop, and when to strike.
🎙️ Tune in to Locked On Bulls as Haize and Pat break down the Matas and Noa contract decisions, debate Norman Powell’s value in a potential star trade, and ask whether Chicago is ready for one of the toughest opening stretches in the East.
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