Bulls new EVP Bryson Graham has emphasized the importance of team building in numerous conversations since his arrival. Buzzwords like “opportunistic,” “creative” and “SLAP” have been staples of his philosophy. With the NIL snatching away a plethora of prospects, the time to get creative is now.
Enter: Tarris Reed Jr. Centerstage
Mar 20, 2026; Philadelphia, PA, USA; UConn Huskies forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) reacts in the first half during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesAt 6-foot-10 and 263 pounds of solid muscle, UConn’s Tarris Reed Jr. brings an imposing physical presence and relentless energy to the floor.
This year’s draft class is stacked with skilled big men. Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, Chris Cenac Jr., Hannes Steinbach, Morez Johnson Jr., Jayden Quaintance and a few others are all expected to be selected ahead of Reed. That could leave the door wide open for the Bulls to capitalize and snag the tenacious center in the second round if they play their cards right and get creative on draft night.
Playing for the infamous Dan Hurley, Reed operates as a rugged, high-motor interior force who isn’t afraid to get it out the mud and do the dirty work. Physical defense, tough screening, rim protection and interior scoring are traits Reed has built a reputation on and that would be welcomed in Chicago from day one. He may not be the flashiest player, but what he lacks in flash he makes up for in substance and consistency. That steady production translated into averages of 14.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Again, while those numbers don’t leap off the page, they still allowed Reed to solidify himself as the anchor of a tenacious Husky defense. For a team craving physicality, the Bulls would do well to give him a look.
Asset Accumulation & The Value Of Second-Round Picks
In the modern NBA, teams can no longer get by on talent alone. The league has become an ever-changing ecosystem driven by flexibility, long-term planning and one critical currency: assets. Bulls’ EVP Bryson Graham expressed this exact sentiment during his introductory press conference. It was encouraging to hear for a fanbase starved for competency (or at least someone who could fake it).
"It depends on what's best for us in that moment," Graham said. "It might be signing a player. It might be throwing an offer sheet on a restricted free agent. It might be, you know, taking in and being an offerant for a team and taking in picks. You have to be open to every avenue 'cause that's where we're at right now... This is a time for us to grow, and build and layer it the right way."
Opportunistic & Creative
During that same presser (above), our writer Gavin Dorsey asked Graham to describe what a real rebuild looks like and what fans should expect to see from him as he implements it.
"Until we, you know, continue to - obviously - draft well, add to this mix, and add more talent and team identity... we are in a rebuilding phase. I think that's where we are right now. I'm not gonna be up here and mince words and say that we're further along because that's not the case. I hope that, as fans, we kinda understand where we're at. We're gonna get there... but it's gonna take time."
Taking over a Bulls team armed with two first-round picks in this draft, seven second-round picks over the next five years and a war chest of cap space, Graham seems to have all the time in the world to turn things around. And while he knows that he has time, and that good things require it, he doesn’t seem set to sit on his hands. He emphasized that the Bulls will be “opportunistic” and “creative.” With a wave of this year’s draft class withdrawing, the chance to show just how opportunistic and creative he can be has arrived at his doorstep.
