Matas Buzelis doesn’t need a strong showing in the NBA Dunk Contest to have all eyes on him for the remainder of the season. He’s undoubtedly going there to try and make a name for himself on a national level, but call that a bonus for the Bulls rookie this weekend. With just 29 games left in his freshman NBA campaign, the 6-foot-10 forward has more atop the priority list than showcasing his dunking ability. He needs to continue improving his defense and understanding tendencies, he needs to keep digesting film work, and he still needs to work towards a consistent identity on offense. Heck, Buzelis doesn’t even know if he’ll stay in the starting lineup as the Bulls get healthier. “To me it doesn’t matter,” Buzelis said. “Whatever role that (coach) Billy (Donovan) tells me to play I’ll do it. I’m starting now, but it could change moving forward. It doesn’t matter to me.” It matters to the Bulls organization and the fan base. Everything Buzelis does at this point matters. In a season where there has been very little to invest hope in, fair or unfair for a 20-year-old, Buzelis is it. The same “it” factor he showed in Summer League back in July is again surfacing since his minutes were increased two weeks ago, and now it’s no longer about being concerned with his floor as much as getting excited about his ceiling. Yep, all eyes on Buzelis first and foremost, but he’s not alone the next two months. Top three Bulls players (not named Buzelis) to keep an eye on: 1. Josh Giddey – The point guard will be getting paid this summer. By whom and for how much is still the unknown, but a Giddey extension is coming. The Sun-Times reported earlier in the year that Giddey was initially looking to be slotted in the same zip code that Jalen Suggs was - $30 million a year – but the Bulls were nowhere near that number. What the organization has on its side is the market. Because Giddey is a restricted free agent, the Bulls can let him test the market, let the market set a price, and then decide to match it or let him walk. The good news for the Bulls is there aren’t many teams with cap room heading into the offseason. The bad news is it only takes one. What Giddey needs to show in the final 29 games is he’s not just a numbers stuffer for a point guard. He can impact winning. When the Bulls win this year, Giddey is averaging 14.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, while shooting 40.2% from three. When they lose, he’s 10.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.8 assist per game, while shooting 29% from three. Fix that and the defense, and there’s something there. 2. Kevin Huerter – The debut was dismal on Saturday, as Huerter went 1-of-7 from the field and looked like a player that had one practice with his new team. But the shooter is signed through the 2025-26 season, and the Bulls have to decide if he is a keeper moving forward or another piece to try and move this summer. If Huerter can resemble the guy that shot 40.2% from three while averaging 15.2 points per game like he did in the 2022-23 season with the Kings, he would be a keeper as a key bench component to fit Donovan’s philosophy. If not, hopefully Huerter is renting in Chicago. 3. Coby White – The Bulls may have to make a tough decision this summer, especially with Giddey a priority to bring back. Do they stick with White and keep a crowded point guard room or move on from him in a trade, instead keeping Ayo Dosunmu as Giddey’s running mate? White has 29 games left to show that he and Giddey can function more consistently together.