Bryson Graham has been very deliberate in his coaching search. The right decision is not always the in-house one.
With just 12 days remaining until the 2026 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls still do not have a head coach.
The search appears to be narrowing, though, as four reported finalists have emerged from the pack. Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter has head coach experience after bringing Portland to the playoffs this season, while Timberwolves assistant Micah Nori and Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt are each seeking their first opportunity to lead a franchise.
All three come from winning teams and have been highly regarded around the league, including in opposing teams' coaching searches. The fourth finalist, however, doesn't quite fit that mold.
It makes sense for the Bulls to interview Wes Unseld Jr., who has served as Chicago's assistant coach for the past two seasons. Unseld is familiar with the players on the team's roster and the organization, is already under contract and has previous head coaching experience. When Billy Donovan missed a February game following the death of his father, Unseld stepped in to coach the Bulls.
However, it's important to remember that experience doesn't always mean good experience. As the head coach of the Wizards from 2021 to 2024, Unseld compiled a 77-130 record before being fired mid-season. Bulls fans may scoff at that record and say, "it's the Wizards," but those Washington teams had talent.
Jan 24, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards head coach Wes Unseld Jr. looks on as guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) drives to the basket during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn ImagesWhen Unseld took over, Bradley Beal was coming off a season in which he averaged 31.3 points per game and the Wizards reached the playoffs. Kristaps Porzingis, Deni Avdija and Rui Hachimura were all on the team, as well as Kyle Kuzma (17.1 points per game), Daniel Gafford and Montrezl Harrell. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a significant contributor on the Lakers' championship team the year prior and the Nuggets' championship team the next year.
Unseld's Wizards went 35-47 in his first and second year before the front office finally decided to blow up the roster. Washington traded away Beal, Porzingis and more, leaving Unseld with a shell of the team he had before. He was fired on Jan. 25, 2024, when the Wizards held a 7-36 record.
The final season wasn't necessarily Unseld's fault, but the mediocrity and inability to maximize talent in the prior two seasons should not be forgotten by Bulls fans.
Bryson Graham's hire was a sign of hope for Chicago, as the franchise went in a young, fresh direction. If Graham has learned anything from how some of the top teams have emerged in recent years — San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Boston, to name a few — he'll give the Bulls a clean slate and hire for upside, rather than familiarity.
