Caleb Wilson’s Summer League surge has given the Bulls something to think about, but it may have also clarified the path for Matas Buzelis.
Wilson’s four-game run in the 2K26 NBA Summer League had Chicago buzzing for all the right reasons. He looked smooth in transition, attacked the lane with purpose, finished at the rim, and showed real confidence from deep. The numbers backed it up, too: 23.5 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game, plus 41.9% shooting from 3-point range.
That kind of showing naturally sparks the debate over who becomes the Bulls’ top offensive option down the line, Wilson or Buzelis. But that’s not really the right frame yet. The bigger picture is that both should be viewed as long-term cornerstones, and the real challenge is figuring out how they grow together.
For that to happen, Buzelis’ next step is pretty straightforward: he has to become a more dependable perimeter shooter.
Wilson’s breakout came with plenty of intrigue, especially after he hit seven 3-pointers in his debut against the Los Angeles Lakers. Still, his clearest offensive value right now comes from what he does around the basket.
In his rookie season at North Carolina, he attempted just 27 shots from beyond the arc and made 25.9% of them. The jumper is still a work in progress, and he doesn’t yet look fully comfortable as a catch-and-shoot option.
So the Bulls probably shouldn’t count on Wilson being an immediate floor-spacer when he gets to the NBA.
Buzelis, though, has already shown a more believable shooting base. He made 36.1% of his 3s as a rookie, dipped slightly in his second season, and both marks still represent a clear jump from the 27.35% he posted from long range during his lone season with the G-League Ignite.
There have also been stretches that hint at more. Buzelis shot 39.8% from 3-point range in January this past season before a rough March and April dragged his overall numbers back toward the middle.
If Chicago wants this frontcourt pairing to work in the long run, Buzelis probably needs to settle into the 37-38% range from beyond the arc. That kind of shooting would open up the floor, create cleaner passing lanes, and let him punish closeouts while Wilson keeps developing as an interior force and adds strength.
If both players eventually become reliable shooters, the Bulls will have a good problem on their hands. But for now, the cleanest way to make the fit work is for Buzelis to keep expanding his game so Chicago can build around its newest star without crowding the lane.
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