A championship-caliber strategist and development specialist joins Tiago Splitter’s staff to maximize Chicago’s young core, bringing crucial Finals experience and a reputation for sharpening elite NBA talent.
The Chicago Bulls are adding another intriguing piece to Tiago Splitter’s coaching staff.
The Bulls are hiring former New York Knicks assistant coach Jordan Brink as an assistant coach and director of player development, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto.
Brink joins Chicago after spending the past three seasons with the Knicks, where he developed a reputation as one of the organization’s most trusted behind-the-scenes coaches. His responsibilities included player development and special situations, including helping the coaching staff with in-game challenge decisions.
That latter role became particularly notable during New York’s run to the 2026 NBA Finals. Knicks head coach Mike Brown leaned on Brink’s judgment when deciding whether to challenge calls, including during the Knicks’ Game 2 victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
While Brink’s ability to help with challenges is an interesting wrinkle, his player-development background could ultimately be much more important for the Bulls.
Chicago is entering a new era under Splitter with one of the youngest cores in the NBA. Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey, Caleb Wilson and Dailyn Swain are among the young players the organization hopes can become foundational pieces, making player development one of the most important responsibilities within the franchise.
The Bulls have invested heavily in young talent over the past two seasons, but drafting players is only the first step. The organization now needs to maximize that talent and create an environment where its young players can develop into consistent NBA contributors. Brink’s experience could be valuable in that process.
Brink also brings experience working with young players from his time in Detroit. Before joining the Knicks in 2023, he spent time with the Pistons organization from 2014-2022 and coached Detroit’s Summer League team prior to leaving for New York.
His time in New York also gave him the opportunity to work within a team that reached the NBA Finals, providing him with experience in a high-level competitive environment. That experience should give Brink another valuable perspective as he joins a Bulls team attempting to establish a winning culture.
Now, he will get the opportunity to help develop Chicago’s young talent while working alongside Splitter and the rest of the Bulls’ revamped coaching staff.
The move is another indication that Chicago’s new regime is prioritizing development as it attempts to build a sustainable foundation. Rather than simply adding another name to the bench, the Bulls are bringing in someone who has already earned significant trust within a successful organization.
For a team still searching for its long-term identity, that could make Brink one of the more important additions to Splitter’s staff.
And if he can help turn Chicago’s young talent into legitimate NBA building blocks, the Bulls may have landed far more than a new assistant coach.
