Being a Chicago Bulls fan isn’t for the faint of heart. For the past few years, it’s felt like we’ve been stuck in neutral — not bad enough to bottom out, but not good enough to scare anyone either. Every offseason brings the same question: what direction are we going?

But this year feels… different. There’s finally a sense that the front office might be ready to shift gears — leaning into youth, player development and a cleaner identity. The roster looks younger, fresher and maybe even hungrier. So, as we head into another season, here are the three things I’m genuinely looking forward to as a Bulls fan.

1. Watching Matas Buzelis Grow into his Own

I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about a Bulls player. Matas Buzelis brings something we’ve been missing for years — real potential. Not just “nice role player” potential, but star-upside potential.

At 6-foot-10, he’s smooth, athletic and has that confident Chicago edge to his game. He’s got the skill set every modern NBA team wants — can handle the ball, shoot off the dribble and attack the rim. The G League Ignite experience gave him a head start against pros, but now it’s about adjusting to the physicality and pace of the NBA.

What I’ll be watching for most is how he fits in with the rest of the roster. Will Billy Donovan let him grow into his game? Can he continue to develop chemistry with guys like Coby White and Josh Giddey? Those reps early in the season will matter.

He’s still young and raw, so the ups and downs are coming, but that’s part of the fun. Bulls fans haven’t had a true homegrown star in the making since Derrick Rose. And while it’s unfair to put that kind of pressure on Matas, it’s hard not to dream a little.

The city loves a kid who plays with confidence, hustle and heart — and Buzelis checks every box. This season isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. I’m ready to watch him grow game by game.

2. The Future of Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White

Two guards. Two homegrown talents. Two different stories that might define the Bulls’ direction for the next few years.

White is coming off his breakout season — one that made everyone take notice. He finally put it all together: the scoring, the maturity, the leadership. He’s no longer just a spark plug off the bench; he’s the heartbeat of the offense now. You can tell he’s confident, more patient and more in control. Watching his development from streaky shooter to legitimate starting guard has been one of the most satisfying journeys as a fan.

Then there’s Ayo Dosunmu — the Chicago kid who’s all about toughness and defense. He’s never been the flashiest player, but his energy, effort and willingness to guard the other team’s best perimeter player every night make him special. With Alex Caruso gone, Ayo’s defensive presence becomes even more valuable.

The question is how the Bulls balance their growth together. Can they both be part of the long-term core? Their chemistry is solid, and both have improved every year, but the front office will have to decide what kind of backcourt they want to build around.

Either way, watching two young guards who’ve earned everything through hard work — and done it in Bulls colors — makes this team easier to root for. Whether they end up sharing the backcourt long-term or going different directions, they’ve helped restore some pride to the franchise.

3. Can this Team Finally Find a Defensive Identity?

The biggest frustration with recent Bulls teams hasn’t been effort — it’s not like they need to become the 2004 Detroit Pistons, but paired with the potency that this offense brings, any marginal improvement to the defense could result in a significant win increase in 2025-26.

This season, that has to change.

With Lonzo Ball and Caruso gone, the team’s defensive personality will look different, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It opens the door for a new defensive leader to step up — whether it’s Ayo setting the tone at the perimeter, Patrick Williams (if healthy) taking a leap as a stopper, or even Buzelis learning how to use his length effectively on switches.

What the Bulls need is buy-in. The roster isn’t elite defensively on paper, but if they commit to effort, rotations and rebounding, they can be solid. Defense is about attitude more than anything — and this team finally feels like it might have the right mix of players who want to prove something.

The other key is scheme. The Bulls have spent years trying to play conservative defense, but maybe it’s time to embrace chaos — push tempo off turnovers, fly around, use athleticism to their advantage. When the United Center crowd gets behind those energy runs, you can feel it. Chicago basketball is supposed to be gritty. Hopefully, this year’s group brings that edge back.

Final Thoughts

For once, I’m not focused on playoff seeding or trade rumors. I just want to see progress.

Buzelis developing into a future cornerstone. White and Dosunmu continuing to grow as a backcourt. A team that actually competes defensively and plays with pride.

This might not be a championship season — maybe not even close — but it can be a turning point. After years of being stuck, the Bulls finally have a direction rooted in youth, effort and upside. And as a fan, that’s all I’ve been asking for.

Hope. Growth. Identity.

It’s been a while since we’ve had all three — but maybe, just maybe, this is the year it starts to come together.