Could Matas Buzelis Become The Bulls’ Next $200 MILLION Player? | What Is Bulls Bench Identity?

Could Matas Buzelis eventually command a $200 million contract from the Chicago Bulls?On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why Amen Thompson’s new five-year, $208 million extension could be a preview of the financial decision Chicago may eventually face with Matas Buzelis. Thompson’s deal doesn’t make him a perfect comparison, but it does show what young wings with franchise-cornerstone upside are beginning to cost.Matas averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks last season while shooting 46.3% from the field and 34.9% from three. Chicago controls his fourth-year option for 2027-28, and he becomes eligible for a rookie-scale extension next summer. The 2026-27 season could determine whether those negotiations begin at “promising starter” money or genuine franchise-player money.But before getting to Matas, Haize examines something that could make this Bulls team stylistically fascinating: the bench may have a completely different identity from the starters.Chicago’s starting group of Josh Giddey, Norman Powell, Matas Buzelis, Caleb Wilson and Nic Claxton can create through size, passing and matchup advantages. The second unit may need to manufacture offense through speed, pressure, deflections, multiple ball handlers and organized chaos.A possible bench core of Tre Jones, Rob Dillingham, Dailyn Swain, Leonard Miller or Patrick Williams, and Jalen Smith could change the tempo immediately. Jones provides control, Dillingham brings instant scoring aggression, Swain connects possessions with defense and secondary creation, and Smith gives the guards the spacing they need to attack.Haize also explains why Norman Powell staggered with the reserves could unlock the entire concept, and why a group featuring Dillingham, Powell, Swain, Matas and Jalen Smith could become legitimately dangerous if the young players shoot and defend well enough.Finally, the Bulls have another contract decision coming. Isaac Okoro becomes extension-eligible September 17 while entering the final year of his deal at roughly $11.8 million. His defense may be more important than his box-score production because Chicago’s projected starters still lack an obvious point-of-attack stopper. But his 33% three-point shooting creates real spacing concerns next to Giddey and Claxton.So should Bryson Graham extend Okoro, evaluate him through the first 20–25 games, or use his expiring contract as a trade asset?🔥 Topics include:Bulls bench developing its own identity“Organized chaos” under Tiago SplitterTre Jones as the bench stabilizerRob Dillingham as the pace changerDailyn Swain as the connectorJaylin Sellers as the wild cardJalen Smith’s fit with the young guardsNorman Powell leading the reservesAmen Thompson’s $208M extensionCould Matas become a $200M player?What Matas must prove before Chicago pays himHow Caleb Wilson complicates the Matas evaluationIsaac Okoro becoming extension-eligibleOkoro’s defense vs his offensive limitationsExtend, evaluate or trade Okoro?🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown.Podcast Links: https://linktr.ee/BullsCentralPodGet at us:Email: [email protected]:@BullsCentralPodPhone: ‪(773) 270-2799‬Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy