Episode Details

Matas Buzelis wants to adjust his shot profile — and it could be exactly what his star leap needs.

On today’s Chicago Bulls Central, Haize breaks down why Matas wanting to reduce his three-point volume is not automatically a bad thing. After averaging 16.3 points while taking 6.4 threes per game and shooting 34.9% from deep, Matas may be looking to become more than just a rim-or-three scorer. The key is not abandoning the three-point shot — it is adding a reliable midrange counter that helps him become a true three-level scorer.

Haize explains why the midrange is not dead, why bad midrange basketball is dead, and how a 10-to-15-foot pull-up could help Matas punish defenders who run him off the line. If Matas can become a better finisher through contact, attack closeouts, get to the free-throw line and add a reliable short midrange game, his Year 3 leap could change the Bulls’ offensive ceiling.

Then the show shifts to Jalen Duren, whose contract situation with Detroit could get very interesting. Duren struggled in the 2025-26 playoffs, but Haize explains why Bulls fans should not let one bad postseason erase the fact that he is a 22-year-old All-Star center who averaged nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds in the regular season. If Duren reaches unrestricted free agency in 2027, Chicago should be watching closely — but only after evaluating Nic Claxton, Caleb Wilson’s shooting, and the long-term frontcourt fit.

Finally, Haize connects the Sylvain Francisco story to Rob Dillingham. The Bulls nearly added a EuroLeague guard who could score, shoot, run pick-and-roll and organize the second unit. That should not discourage Rob — it should motivate him. If Dillingham can become a reliable bench scorer and secondary creator, he could save Bryson Graham from spending assets on another guard.

🔥 Topics include:

• Matas Buzelis wanting fewer threes
• Why Matas needs a midrange counter
• How Matas can become a three-level scorer
• Why playoff scorers need counters
• Jalen Duren’s contract situation
• Should the Bulls monitor Duren in 2027?
• How Duren would fit with Caleb, Matas and Giddey
• Why Rob Dillingham should be fired up by the Francisco pursuit
• Rob’s path to becoming Chicago’s bench scorer
• How player development can save the Bulls assets

🎧 Tap in with Haize on Chicago Bulls Central for the full breakdown!

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