2024 NBA Draft - Chicago Bulls select Matas Buzelis with the 11th pick

[Electric Slim]

It's amazing how many people have come around on Matas, there were people here that said if Matas was available at 11 they'd still pass on him.

I read that too (see sig)

[Chi town]

Can’t wait to see Buz go at Risacher.

[Muzbar]

Can’t wait to see Buz go at Risacher.

If either of them play.

Risacher didn't play for the Hawks today.

[kodo]

Smooth dunker, reminiscent of Lavine.

Read on Twitter

[VolumePoster]

Smooth dunker, reminiscent of Lavine.

Read on Twitter

Good call. Very elastic somehow. Both have a similar continuous development curve with their leaping if memory serves.

Because summer league is such a mess, you look for traits and skills above production. Clingan and Matas, to my eye, look like they were under drafted.

[Sinistar6]

I remember Doug "McThree" McDermott having a couple of great summer leagues and preseasons, so I'm trying to take Matas' performance with a grain of salt. Not gonna lie though. I'm still pretty high on him.

I thought he was going to be so good….

[TheJordanRule]

Just because I haven't seen this version of it posted here:

Read on Twitter

The stare down at the end and how he follows him with the stare down as Plowden gets up, then stares into the camera might be more swag than the rest of this Bulls team combined.

This offseason's additions of Matas and Josh are more exciting than anything that the AKME has ever attempted over the last two seasons. It took too damn long, but they are in the midst course correcting, and it feels so good.

[Mbrahv0528]

Based on the SL eye test he looks promising:
Nice fluid game. Doesn't rush. Crafty on offense. Generally has good instincts around the rim. Tight handle. Smooth release. Solid IQ. All the things you look for in a young player.

Again it's SL so grain of salt, of course. But as of right now I think Bulls fans should be fairly optimistic.

He looks FAR more than "promising". Like far more than that.

Sent from my SM-S928U using RealGM mobile app

[nomorezorro]

i was out on matas pre-draft without having watched any film of him just because i read people i trust summing up his profile as "franz wagner light." i don't much care for wagner as a player archetype in general, and between that and matas's crummy shooting statistics, i was like "alright this is not my guy"

but watching him actually play, i think the wagner comparisons do a disservice to matas's potential. franz has a much more "functional" game, which makes him a surer thing as a prospect. matas has more to develop before he's a plus player — gotta get better at putting the ball in the hoop at every level, gotta get stronger, probably needs to tighten the dribble some more before it's a strength in the nba, needs better conditioning, etc. — but to me matas is also more athletic, has a higher motor, and could be more fluid. imo, that gives him a level of upside that i don't know that i see with wagner

(it probably also helps that buzelis is 19 while wagner has spent three years in the nba, so it's easier to look at matas and go "man, what if he fixes all of his weaknesses..." rather than thinking "well those will probably always be shortcomings in his game to some degree." but still! summer league is not the time for strict rationality)

[boozapalooza]

It's amazing how many people have come around on Matas, there were people here that said if Matas was available at 11 they'd still pass on him.

I'm amazing at how many are now on board the Matas train, I don't think I've seen this board almost unanimously behind a prospect.

I think some may need to pump the brakes a little though, some are getting overly hyped and may be setting too high of an expectation on him, he's played 3 SL games, let him develop and grow.

The next SL game is going to be good though I reckon, Matas will be up against Risacher (if he plays), time to see him back up his talk.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276759/Execs-Coming-Out-Of-Summer-League-With-Higher-Expectations-For-2024-NBA-Draft-Class

Amazed how quickly people have changed their opinions on this draft class also. Looks like quite a few good prospects in Matas, Sheppard, Clingan, Castle, TSJ, etc. We definitely got one of the good ones.

[CROBulls]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276759/Execs-Coming-Out-Of-Summer-League-With-Higher-Expectations-For-2024-NBA-Draft-Class

Amazed how quickly people have changed their opinions on this draft class also. Looks like quite a few good prospects in Matas, Sheppard, Clingan, Castle, TSJ, etc. We definitely got one of the good ones.

I still think draft class is bad from pure upside potential. I would never pick Holland at #5. I would never want in any class take Risacher at #1. Just for example. Not saying they are bad players but in Risacher case he will simply be "somebody needed go first" guy.

But I dont think anyone ever said this class wouldnt be deep. It might be really good class if you looking for role players. And someone might get lucky picking lower in draft than would usual due simply being that kind of class. But there is no excitement at top of class. And I am still standing of opinion that difference in talent between guy picked #5 or guy picked #11 is marginal or doesnt exist.

In different kind of class that would never be true.

[dougthonus]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276759/Execs-Coming-Out-Of-Summer-League-With-Higher-Expectations-For-2024-NBA-Draft-Class

Amazed how quickly people have changed their opinions on this draft class also. Looks like quite a few good prospects in Matas, Sheppard, Clingan, Castle, TSJ, etc. We definitely got one of the good ones.

I still think draft class is bad from pure upside potential. I would never pick Holland at #6. I would never want in any class take Risacher at #1. Just for example. Not saying they are bad player but in Risacher case he will simply be "somebody needed go first" guy.

But I dont think anyone ever said this class wouldnt be deep. It might be really good class if you looking for role players. And someone might get lucky picking lower in draft than would usual due simply being that kind of class. But there is no excitement at top of class. And I am still standing of opinion that difference in talent between guy picked #4 or guy picked #11 is marginal or doesnt exist.

In different kind of class that would never be true.

Hard to say what these things mean in a vacuum.

If you were to gauge it on something like:
5 points per superstar (4x+ times all-star)
4 points per all-star (1-2x all-star)
3 points per starter (starts majority of games over that 10 year stretch)
2 points per rotation player (20 minutes plus average minutes per game over that stretch)
1 point per deep bench guy who sticks on a team (still in the league)

10 years from now, I'd bet this would be a well below average class.

That doesn't mean that the 60 guys drafted are all going to be busts or that there won't be anyone who comes out of it, but the total talent entering the league this year is going to be below average for a normal year IMO.

I would guess if you just measured on "how many guys are in the league 10 years after the class was drafted" that this class will also score low.

[Muzbar]

It's amazing how many people have come around on Matas, there were people here that said if Matas was available at 11 they'd still pass on him.

I'm amazing at how many are now on board the Matas train, I don't think I've seen this board almost unanimously behind a prospect.

I think some may need to pump the brakes a little though, some are getting overly hyped and may be setting too high of an expectation on him, he's played 3 SL games, let him develop and grow.

The next SL game is going to be good though I reckon, Matas will be up against Risacher (if he plays), time to see him back up his talk.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/276759/Execs-Coming-Out-Of-Summer-League-With-Higher-Expectations-For-2024-NBA-Draft-Class

Amazed how quickly people have changed their opinions on this draft class also. Looks like quite a few good prospects in Matas, Sheppard, Clingan, Castle, TSJ, etc. We definitely got one of the good ones.

I said throughout the pre-draft process that this draft isn't as bad as many were portraying it, yes it lacked undeniable top end talent but it was solid throughout.

[dougthonus]

i was out on matas pre-draft without having watched any film of him just because i read people i trust summing up his profile as "franz wagner light." i don't much care for wagner as a player archetype in general, and between that and matas's crummy shooting statistics, i was like "alright this is not my guy"

but watching him actually play, i think the wagner comparisons do a disservice to matas's potential. franz has a much more "functional" game, which makes him a surer thing as a prospect. matas has more to develop before he's a plus player — gotta get better at putting the ball in the hoop at every level, gotta get stronger, probably needs to tighten the dribble some more before it's a strength in the nba, needs better conditioning, etc. — but to me matas is also more athletic, has a higher motor, and could be more fluid. imo, that gives him a level of upside that i don't know that i see with wagner

(it probably also helps that buzelis is 19 while wagner has spent three years in the nba, so it's easier to look at matas and go "man, what if he fixes all of his weaknesses..." rather than thinking "well those will probably always be shortcomings in his game to some degree." but still! summer league is not the time for strict rationality)

I think Franz Wagner light on offense with better defense is probably a good quick summation of what you can expect from Matas.

Sure if he hits the upside scenario on shooting, he might be a better player than Franz overall, but Franz is also an excellent ball handler, has a great feel for the game, potent scorer, and good passer. The median outcome for Matas on offense is a worse offensive player than Franz. The upside outcome is certainly a better player, but I'd give that less than a 50% shot.

[nomorezorro]

yeah that's definitely true, and i don't mean to be glib about how good wagner is or overlook the fact that matas becoming anything close to him would be a good outcome for the #11 pick.

i just had it in my head that like, "well, if the best case is a lesser version of franz wagner, and he's almost certainly not going to get there, then i'm not feeling great about what my realistic expectations for him should be...", and seeing him in motion has both provided some comfort in that regard and given me some space to fantasize about how high the ceiling could be in the unlikely event everything breaks right

[Chi town]

yeah that's definitely true, and i don't mean to be glib about how good wagner is or overlook the fact that matas becoming anything close to him would be a good outcome for the #11 pick.

i just had it in my head that like, "well, if the best case is a lesser version of franz wagner, and he's almost certainly not going to get there, then i'm not feeling great about what my realistic expectations for him should be...", and seeing him in motion has both provided some comfort in that regard and given me some space to fantasize about how high the ceiling could be in the unlikely event everything breaks right

Franz with a 3 ball is a #1 option.

I do like Buz’s frame and athleticism better. His edge too.

[Tetlak]

yeah that's definitely true, and i don't mean to be glib about how good wagner is or overlook the fact that matas becoming anything close to him would be a good outcome for the #11 pick.

i just had it in my head that like, "well, if the best case is a lesser version of franz wagner, and he's almost certainly not going to get there, then i'm not feeling great about what my realistic expectations for him should be...", and seeing him in motion has both provided some comfort in that regard and given me some space to fantasize about how high the ceiling could be in the unlikely event everything breaks right

Franz with a 3 ball is a #1 option.

I do like Buz’s frame and athleticism better. His edge too.

Im a Franz fan, but have to disagree. He simply doesn't have the high end creation or playmaking ability to ever be a #1 even with a more consistent 3 ball.

If you're looking for a #1 inside the arc scorer, use DeMar for context. I doubt Franz will ever have the self creation or volume of a #1 scorer. He's slightly more of a system player.

I think Matas falls in the same boat ultimately, but Matas also has more athleticism and defense (at least shot blocking/deterring). Can be a much more well rounded player.

[drosestruts]

I'm certainly someone who wasn't high on Matas at draft night time who has been happy with what I've seen from him.

But it's not like other players I liked aren't doing well (expect for one big exception)

Knecht looks good

Ware looks good

Da Silva looks real good

Tyler Smith looks pretty bad

Misi looks raw is getting outplayed by a 2nd rounder


Overall I'm just happy that Matas looks good

[madvillian]

i was out on matas pre-draft without having watched any film of him just because i read people i trust summing up his profile as "franz wagner light." i don't much care for wagner as a player archetype in general, and between that and matas's crummy shooting statistics, i was like "alright this is not my guy"

but watching him actually play, i think the wagner comparisons do a disservice to matas's potential. franz has a much more "functional" game, which makes him a surer thing as a prospect. matas has more to develop before he's a plus player — gotta get better at putting the ball in the hoop at every level, gotta get stronger, probably needs to tighten the dribble some more before it's a strength in the nba, needs better conditioning, etc. — but to me matas is also more athletic, has a higher motor, and could be more fluid. imo, that gives him a level of upside that i don't know that i see with wagner

(it probably also helps that buzelis is 19 while wagner has spent three years in the nba, so it's easier to look at matas and go "man, what if he fixes all of his weaknesses..." rather than thinking "well those will probably always be shortcomings in his game to some degree." but still! summer league is not the time for strict rationality)

I think Franz Wagner light on offense with better defense is probably a good quick summation of what you can expect from Matas.

Sure if he hits the upside scenario on shooting, he might be a better player than Franz overall, but Franz is also an excellent ball handler, has a great feel for the game, potent scorer, and good passer. The median outcome for Matas on offense is a worse offensive player than Franz. The upside outcome is certainly a better player, but I'd give that less than a 50% shot.

Franz is an elite on ball defender at 3 or even 4 positions and while not a great shot blocker gets a ton of contests and deflections.

There's some data that backs up Franz as very good if not elite on that side: https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/4871/onoff#tab-team_efficiency


I actually think Matas has the potential to surpass Franz on offense as Franz doesn't have the lateral movement and handle that Matas has at 19, at 19 Franz was just a straight line driver and bully ball guy at Michigan.

Franz is by far the best modern comp, but it's not a perfect one. Overall, I'd say if Matas can get to Franz's year 3 impact by his year 3 we've got a borderline star and that's great.

[dougthonus]

Franz is an elite on ball defender at 3 or even 4 positions and while not a great shot blocker gets a ton of contests and deflections.

There's some data that backs up Franz as very good if not elite on that side: https://cleaningtheglass.com/stats/player/4871/onoff#tab-team_efficiency


I actually think Matas has the potential to surpass Franz on offense as Franz doesn't have the lateral movement and handle that Matas has at 19, at 19 Franz was just a straight line driver and bully ball guy at Michigan.

Franz is by far the best modern comp, but it's not a perfect one. Overall, I'd say if Matas can get to Franz's year 3 impact by his year 3 we've got a borderline star and that's great.

Definitely not watching Franz every night to have a real opinion on his defense, just never heard people refer to him as a defensive guy.

I don't find on/off numbers to be compelling, so that as evidence doesn't mean much to me. That said, I'm also not saying you are wrong in your assessment of Wagner, if you've watched him a lot and think he's a good defender then I'll take your word for it.