Matas Buzelis could be a key part of the Chicago Bulls’ future. The No. 11 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft has started to break out since February. On March 22, he dropped a career-high 31 points against the playoff-bound Los Angeles Lakers.
Starting 11 games in March, Buzelis averaged 12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 25.4 minutes per game. It’s a far cry from his performance earlier in the season. Coming off the bench for 16 games in January, Buzelis averaged just 5.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and .2 assists per game.
With 22-year-old Josh Giddey and 24-year-old Colby White at the guard spots, there’s a lot to like about the Bulls’ young core, and Buzelis is just getting started. With that in mind, here’s a look at how much he’s earning in his rookie year.
How Much Money Has Matas Buzelis Earned in the NBA?
Buzelis is in the first year of his NBA rookie-scale contract. As a late lottery pick, he doesn’t make as much as top-five selections and earns less than many veterans in the league.
Per Spotrac, Buzelis is set to earn $5.2 million by the end of his rookie season. Over the life of his rookie deal, he’s projected to make nearly $24 million. The Bulls hold a team option for the final two years of the contract, and if Buzelis keeps playing like this, there’s little doubt they’ll keep him around — maybe even long-term.
Basketball is in Buzelis’ blood. His parents played professionally overseas, and while he’s of Lithuanian descent, he was born and raised in Illinois. Growing up in the Chicago area makes his NBA debut with the Bulls even more special.
Buzelis was a five-star recruit in high school but skipped college to play for the NBA G League Ignite. In his one season there, he averaged 14.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2 assists per game, shooting nearly 45% from the field and 27.3% from three.
He briefly returned to the G League this season, playing one game with the Bulls’ affiliate, the Windy City Bulls, before getting called back up. At this point, unless it’s for a rehab assignment, it’s unlikely he’ll be heading back down.
For everything that’s gone wrong in Chicago over the past few years, Buzelis is a bright spot. If the Bulls trade Nikola Vučević and start a rebuild, Buzelis gives them a real foundation in the frontcourt. He’s showing promise, and with the right pieces around him, he could be part of the team’s path back to the playoffs.
