The Chicago Bulls have spent the better part of the 27 years since Michael Jordan's departure struggling to achieve sustainable success. It's missed the playoffs in 15 of those 27 seasons, with Tom Thibodeau's tenure accounting for seven of those appearances.
That's inevitably placed every decision the front office makes under the magnifying lens—so much so that players such as Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue met a polarizing response.
In some circles, Buzelis and Essengue were praised as promising upside players whom the Bulls were wise to take chances on beyond the lottery range. In others, they were cast aside as individuals who lacked the attributes Chicago needed to prioritize.