Buzelis Bets on the Mid-Range: "It's Going to Double or Triple"
Forget the three-point-or-bust era in Chicago. New head coach Chris Fleming is installing an offense that's music to Matas Buzelis' ears. After Wednesday's voluntary minicamp session at the Advocate Center, Buzelis told Chicago Sun-Times reporter Joe Cowley that his shot profile is about to change dramatically. "I expect my mid-range attempts to double or triple," Buzelis said, citing Fleming's isolation-heavy sets from the elbow and free-throw line extended. The days of Buzelis camping out on the wing are over.
This isn't just coach-speak. The Bulls have already installed a new "Horns Elbow" set designed specifically for the third-year forward. Fleming's offensive philosophy prioritizes getting his most efficient scorers into their "hot zones" - and for Buzelis, that's the left elbow. He shot a blistering 51.2% from that exact spot last season (per NBA Advanced Stats), a number that jumps off the page when you consider the league average is under 40% from that range.
The front office is fully on board. Sources confirmed to NBC Sports Chicago that Buzelis' staggering 46.3% mid-range efficiency on 2.1 attempts per game was the catalyst for this offensive shift. The data screams one thing: give this man more looks. While he was elite at converting, he ranked just 87th in the NBA in mid-range volume despite being 23rd in efficiency. That discrepancy is now the team's biggest offensive opportunity.
The Numbers Game: Efficiency vs. Volume & The $2.5M Sweetener
Let's break down why this matters for the win-loss column - and for Buzelis' bank account. Last season, Buzelis shot 48.9% from the field overall and a respectable 36.1% from deep. But the mid-range was his true superpower. His new max extension, signed just three weeks ago, includes a sneaky performance incentive: $2.5 million if he attempts more than 6.0 mid-range shots per game while shooting at least 45% on those looks.
That's a massive jump from his 2.1 attempts last year, and it aligns perfectly with the betting markets. DraftKings has already set his mid-range attempts over/under at 4.5 per game for the upcoming season. The athleticism has always been there - the release, the elevation, the footwork - but now the scheme is catching up to the skill. The B/R player rankings noticed, bumping him from the #19 to the #14 small forward in the league entering 2026-27.
📊 51.2% from the left elbow - Buzelis' efficiency in his "hot zone" last season, a number that dwarfs the NBA average from that range.
| Metric | 2025-26 Actual | 2026-27 Projected |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range attempts/gm | 2.1 | 4.5 (O/U) |
| Mid-range FG% | 46.3% | 45%+ (incentive) |
| Overall FG% | 48.9% | N/A |
| 3PT% (4.8 att/gm) | 36.1% | N/A |
| SF league rank | #19 | #14 |
It's not just about quantity though. The efficiency has to stay elite. That's where the summer grind comes in. Buzelis has been putting in work with renowned trainer Drew Hanlen of Pure Sweat Basketball, and the results are visible. Hanlen posted a workout video on August 15 showing Buzelis draining 200+ mid-range pull-ups per session from the left elbow. The caption read: "Reprogramming the shot selection hierarchy." That's a scary thought for opposing defenders.
The Floor Spacing Impact & Contract Year Pressure
Here's the underrated aspect of this shift: It's going to make the entire Bulls offense harder to guard. Defenses last year could sag off Buzelis when he hovered around the arc, daring him to shoot threes or force drives into the paint. Now, with the ball in his hands at the elbow, he becomes a triple threat. He can rise up for that patented pull-up, attack the closeout, or kick out to open shooters once the defense collapses.
📊 87th in volume, 23rd in efficiency - The glaring discrepancy the Bulls believe they can exploit for a major offensive leap.
