Bryson Graham has wasted no time making his presence felt. In his first offseason as the Bulls' head of basketball operations, Graham has systematically addressed nearly every concern surrounding the franchise, and the moves have been impossible to ignore.
After finishing last season 31-51 and missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, a full overhaul was long overdue. Graham arrived and immediately got to work, starting with the hiring of head coach Tiago Splitter. From there, the roster moves came quickly.
Jun 17, 2026; Chicago, Il, USA; Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham (R) introduces Chicago Bulls new head coach Tiago Splitter (L) during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images One of Graham's first major moves was acquiring center Nic Claxton from the Brooklyn Nets in a four-team trade, all while retaining both of Chicago's first-round picks. The move gave the Bulls much-needed rim protection and added legitimate depth at the center position, two areas that had been glaring weaknesses. Shortly after, Graham used those picks to select North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson with the No. 4 overall pick and Texas guard Dailyn Swain with the No. 15 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Both players fit the S.L.A.P. criteria- Size, Length, Athleticism, and Physicality that Graham has preached since stepping into his role.
Jul 7, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls 2026 NBA Draft first round picks Dailyn Swain, 15th, and Caleb Wilson, 4th, prior to a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Boston Red Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images The offseason didn't stop there. Graham signed veteran guard Norman Powell to a two-year deal, addressing the team's shooting concerns while bringing in proven leadership. He also re-signed Zach Collins to a two-year contract, adding another reliable veteran piece to the frontcourt. Most recently, Graham pulled off a trade sending Rob Dillingham to acquire Buddy Hield, injecting even more shooting and veteran experience into the backcourt.
Graham has been vocal about the importance of surrounding young players with the right veterans. He has specifically pointed to Powell as someone who can relate to players at every stage of their careers, drawing from a wide range of experiences throughout his time in the league. That kind of mentorship matters during a rebuild. He has assembled a staff with roots in winning organizations and former players who understand what it takes to compete at the highest level.
A winning season isn't the expectation this year, nor should it be. This is a true rebuild, one focused on developing young talent, establishing a culture, and laying the foundation for something sustainable. There will be highs and lows along the way, as is expected with a young roster finding its footing.
But for the first time in years, the Bulls have direction. Graham has preached patience, and if this offseason is any indication, Chicago's front office finally understands what it takes to build a championship-caliber team.
