Let’s see more of Collins and Huerter.
Feb 22, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Zach Collins (12) goes up for a dunk | David Banks-Imagn Images Luigi Mangione draws crowd for first court hearing since arraignment in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing, and other top stories from February 23, 2025.
The Chicago Bulls have now lost six consecutive games. The prolonged rebuilding plan is finally underway. The Bulls have only been victorious once in February, and it might be a while before they see another victory. While contests against the Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors loom, there’s no telling who this squad is capable of defeating.
If there’s anything positive to come out of this losing streak, several players are impressing in extended action. First and foremost, imminent restricted free agent Josh Giddey has been on an absolute tear. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 19.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists while converting 48.8 percent of his 5.4 three-point attempts per game in February. After a so-so start to the season, Giddey has picked it up since Zach LaVine’s departure.
Besides Giddey, rookie 11th-overall selection Matas Buzelis is shining in an expanded role. Through eight appearances in February, Buzelis averaged 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game. The 6-foot-10 rookie is scoring with uber efficiency. He’s connecting on 55.3 percent of his field goals and 36.8 percent of his triples. This comes after not averaging more than 7.0 points in any month prior.
An extended look at Giddey and Buzelis is of the essence as the season winds down. Giddey, at only 23-years-old, is an upcoming free agent. The Bulls have 25 games left to determine whether he’s a part of their future. However, it appears Giddey will receive the long-term deal he’s been seeking if his recent play is any indication.
Increasing roles of the Bulls’ new duo is important ahead of the offseason
Furthermore, the 20-year-old Buzelis has the makings of a foundational building block going forward. He’s one of the few reliable wings on the Bulls’ roster and the youngest player on the team. The reasoning behind Giddey and Buzelis’ more prominent roles is evident. Nonetheless, other players who might not be on the roster beyond this season are seeing more playing time, and rightfully so.
The aforementioned players are recent acquisitions: Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and Zach Collins. Despite likely not having a future in the Windy City, Head Coach Billy Donovan must trot out two of the three new Bulls for rival front offices to observe before the offseason. Jones’ inclusion in Chicago’s lineup is indifferent—his contract is off the books in the coming months.
Collins and Huerter are slated to earn about $18 million each next season. While their contracts are a bit bloated concerning their on-court value, there was a time when they were deemed worthy of such figures. Both players have struggled this season, but with 25 games left, suiting up for new squads, there’s time to resurrect their values.
After five subpar showings to begin his Chicago career, Huerter excelled in the Bulls’ contest against the Phoneix Suns. The 6-foot-7 wing scored 14 points and canned four three-pointers. In addition, he led the team in plus/minus at plus-11. Collins’ playing time has waxed and waned in his short time in Chicago, but with Jalen Smith out due to injury, he saw 18 minutes against Phoenix. In extended action, the 27-year-old scored eight points and added 10 rebounds.
There’s always a need for shooting, which Huerter was known for before hitting a yearlong slump. If he picks it up, a rival team may be interested in poaching his services—something the Bulls can take advantage of in the summer.
Still in his prime, Collins’ archetype is desirable. He’s 6-foot-11 with perimeter skills. While he’s not an imposing shot-blocker, he’s stout on the interior, routinely forcing his opponents’ field goal percentages to decline by five or more percentage points. He falls under the same boat as Huerter as a potential trade candidate in the offseason.
Although both players don’t need to help the Bulls win games, they must put their values on full display. While Huerter and Collins control their own destinies, Billy Donovan’s lineups will play a part in each player upping their values—and it’s already begun to come to fruition.