NBA Notes: Bulls, Matas Buzelis, Timberwolves, Julius Randle, Pacers

Bulls

The Bulls have exercised their third-year rookie scale team option on forward Matas Buzelis, locking in his salary for the 2026-27 season, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac.

Buzelis, last year’s 11th overall pick, will make $5.46 million in 2025-26 and is now guaranteed $5.72 million the following season.

Chicago will have until November 2026 to decide on his fourth-year option, worth $7.58 million, but that decision already looks like a formality.

The 6-foot-10 forward struggled early in his rookie campaign, hitting double figures in scoring just four times in his first 45 games while averaging 5.0 points and 2.7 rebounds on 38.6% shooting.

But he turned it on in the second half, posting 13.3 points and 4.5 rebounds with strong shooting splits over his final 35 appearances, earning All-Rookie Second Team honors.

Buzelis figures prominently into Chicago’s long-term plans, and this move was an easy one. He becomes the fourth player so far to have his option for 2026-27 picked up.

Teams have until October 31 to finalize all rookie scale option decisions.

Timberwolves

A year after arriving in Minnesota in a surprise trade, Julius Randle says he feels “very settled” as he enters his second season with the Timberwolves.

“I would say even this summer and leading up to the season is probably the happiest I’ve been in a really long time as far as just career, family, everything,” Randle told reporters.

Meanwhile, veteran point guard Mike Conley is feeling revitalized after an injury-plagued offseason last year.

“Completely different summer,” Conley said, via Chris Hine of The Star Tribune. “As soon as we got out of the playoffs, I was back just being able to get into my routines and scheduled everything out like I normally do. I feel right on schedule for training camp and in shape ready to go.”

Conley, who turns 38 next week, posted career lows in points, minutes and usage rate last season, but has been noticeably more assertive in camp.

According to Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic, the Timberwolves believe he can bounce back if he’s given more opportunities to initiate the offense.

Pacers

Third-year forward Jarace Walker is aiming to carve out a bigger role with the Pacers after a relatively quiet start to his NBA career. The former No. 8 pick has averaged just 14.1 minutes per game across 108 appearances, but he’s impressed early in camp with his conditioning and effort.

“It’s difficult being a top-10 pick,” coach Rick Carlisle said, via Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star. “You feel like you’re supposed to go in there and be an impact guy. In our situation, his position was pretty crowded, so it took time. But he’s learned and he’s worked extremely hard and he’s positioned himself to be a major factor on this team.”

Walker says he took inspiration from Pascal Siakam and is motivated after missing the NBA Finals due to a sprained ankle.

Meanwhile, former Virginia standout Kyle Guy is back in the mix after unexpectedly joining Indiana on an Exhibit 10 contract.

Originally slated to be an assistant coach at Nevada this season, Guy jumped at the opportunity to suit up for the Pacers’ G League affiliate in Noblesville.

“The goal is to make the roster,” Guy told Dopirak. “I’m not an idiot. I don’t know if that’s in the cards right now, but I think after I get my feet under me and play for the Boom and help establish a winning culture and a fun atmosphere there that I could make those things happen down the road.”