The Chicago Bulls have officially picked up the 2027-28 rookie contract options on Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue — and now the real development work begins.
On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down what BOTH young forwards need to prove this season, previews Chicago’s opening-night matchup against Toronto, and puts five bold Bulls predictions on the record for the 2026-27 season.
Chicago exercised Matas Buzelis’ fourth-year option at approximately $7.58 million and Noa Essengue’s third-year option at approximately $5.97 million. These are existing rookie-contract options — not new extensions. Matas becomes rookie-extension eligible in summer 2027, while Chicago’s next major Noa decision will be whether to exercise his fourth-year option for 2028-29.
The development conversations are very different.
For Noa Essengue, the goal is to establish a dependable NBA identity built around physicality, defensive positioning, screening, cutting, running the floor and consistent engagement — even if the jumper remains inconsistent. Chicago also has a crowded forward group with Matas, Caleb Wilson, Leonard Miller, Dailyn Swain and Isaac Okoro, so meaningful reps may require a deliberate mix of NBA minutes and Windy City assignments. Pasted text
For Matas Buzelis, the question is how much responsibility he can eventually carry. He enters the year after averaging 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks, while shooting 34.9% from three. The next step is becoming a more complete creator: beating the first defender, handling the help defender, staying involved when others have the advantage and making his defensive versatility more dependable.
Then it’s OPENING NIGHT.
Toronto’s projected starting lineup features Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl, giving Chicago an immediate test against length, experience and physicality. Nic Claxton is out, while the source document lists Dailyn Swain and Jordan Hawkins as not expected to travel because of illness; Zach Collins, Leonard Miller, Isaac Okoro and Tobe Awaka were listed as probable on the October 21 morning report.
The biggest questions:
🔥 Can Chicago move Toronto’s defense before attacking?
🎯 Can Jalen Smith’s shooting pull Poeltl away from the paint?
🔒 Can the Bulls protect the rim without over-helping?
👀 How do Matas and Caleb handle difficult defensive assignments?
🧠 Which reserves give Tiago Splitter exactly what the starters need?
And finally…
🔥 FIVE BOLD BULLS PREDICTIONS
- Matas Buzelis averages 20+ PPG while shooting at least 37% from three.
- Caleb Wilson wins Rookie of the Year.
- Leonard Miller becomes Chicago’s leading bench scorer and averages at least 13 PPG.
- Josh Giddey averages double-digit assists.
- Chicago finishes in the NBA’s top 15 in defensive rating. Pasted text
💬 Which prediction are YOU riding with — and which one are you saving to roast Haize about in April? 😂
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