Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis is looking to expand his offensive game this offseason, and he already knows which NBA player he wants to learn from. Rather than focusing on shooting, the 21-year-old said he wants to study Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Deni Avdija’s ability to attack the basket.
Speaking about his offseason plans, Buzelis revealed that he has been in contact with Avdija and expects the two to work out together.
“To be honest, who I really want to work with is Deni Avdija. I’ve been talking with him,” Buzelis said on Ball in the Family Podcast with Lonzo & Gelo Ball, via HoopsHype. “It’s just, I feel like I was shooting too many threes. I need to get to the rim more. I want to know like how he lowers his shoulder, how he attacks. I seen him in Vegas. We’re supposed to work out this weekend. He’s somebody, Franz Wagner, probably him, KD, of course. That’s who everybody needs to work out with, but I think right now Deni Avdija.”
The comments reflect an area Buzelis wants to emphasize after making a significant leap in his second NBA season. The former first-round pick averaged 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.5 blocks in 77 starts for the Bulls in 2025-26 while shooting 46.3% from the field and 34.9% from three-point range. Nearly half of his 12.5 field-goal attempts per game came from beyond the arc, as he averaged 6.4 three-point attempts.
Buzelis believes adding more downhill pressure would make him a more complete scorer, and Avdija’s transformation into one of the league’s most physical wings offers a blueprint.
After beginning his career primarily as a complementary forward in Washington, Avdija has steadily evolved into a primary offensive option. Following his move to Portland, his production increased in each season before reaching All-Star status in 2025-26.
Last season, Avdija averaged a career-high 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists in 66 games while shooting 46.2% from the field. Although he connected on just 31.8% of his three-pointers, he compensated by relentlessly attacking the paint, earning 9.2 free-throw attempts per game and converting 80.2% from the line.
That aggressive style is exactly what caught Buzelis’ attention.
Rather than relying on jump shots, Avdija consistently uses his 6-foot-9 frame to create advantages off the dribble, initiating contact, getting downhill and finishing through defenders. His willingness to absorb contact helped elevate him from averaging 16.9 points in 2024-25 to more than 24 points per game the following season.
Buzelis also mentioned Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner and Houston Rockets star Kevin Durant as players he admires, but made it clear Avdija is currently his top offseason mentor.
