Forward Matas Buzelis I talked to the coach Billy Donovan. He wanted to know if he would spend time in the G League this season. Donovan said he didn't know, but Buzelis' answer resonated with him.

“He said, 'Well, I just want to let you know I don't have a problem with that. “Whatever I need to do to get better,” Donovan said.

Donovan, who has tried to temper expectations for the freshman due to his youth and inexperience, appreciated Buzelis' open-minded approach.

Buzelis has shown a fearlessness that is rare for a first-year player, and there were flashes in the Bulls' season opener Tuesday against the Cavaliers. But Donovan was careful not to put too much on his plate.

He is athletic and laterally quick, but still needs to master the mental side of the game. Buzelis will have to find defensive coverage, scout his matchup and adjust to the physical nature of the league. All of this takes time.

“As a young player, he has tremendous potential,” Donovan said. “Every man has his own path to how he gets better and how he improves. I just want to see him get better and continue to keep the attitude he has.”

Mix and match

For teams without established rotations, preseason is about trying out different combinations and seeing which ones work.

Experimentation is also key for the Bulls as they adopt a new style and decide how to use their numerous guards.

With Coby White out with a groin injury, Ayo Dosunmu moved into the starting lineup on Saturday against the Grizzlies.

Dosunmu at point guard gives the Bulls a reliable cutter and strong defender, but he doesn't have the hitting skills of White. But given the Bulls' tendency to get off to slow starts – the team had a net rating of minus-1.7 in the first quarter of last season – it can't hurt to try out new lineups.

“I talked to the guys a little bit about the fact that we need to solve the problem,” Donovan said. “And perhaps the problem could be solved by moving part of the lineup.

''I think (guard Zach LaVine), to be honest, was on it after the game. From a verbal perspective, he was the one who said we have to be better in the opening games.”

Injury updates

center Jalen Smith missed the game with a knee injury and was playing guard Lonzo Ball did not take part in the shooting Saturday morning.

Donovan said White and Smith were excluded out of an abundance of caution. Ball is entering new territory for the Bulls' medical staff as he tries to bounce back from a knee injury that required a knee cartilage transplant.

The plan still calls for Ball to be used in two of the last three preseason games.

“His timing is coming back,” Donovan said. “He's really smart and a high IQ player. It's going to be a learning curve for all of us and I think he's been very open about how he feels.

“Like I said, he’s smart. He doesn't just want to play this year; He wants to keep playing.”