The Chicago Bulls are launching a new era. The franchise's youth movement is now under fresh leadership with Bryson Graham as head of basketball operations and Tiago Splitter as the new head coach.
What changes did the Bulls make this offseason?
Bryson Graham's first major decision was selecting UNC standout Caleb Wilson with the fourth overall pick in the draft. The front office sees Wilson as a potential franchise cornerstone. They also added veteran presence by signing Norman Powell and Nic Claxton in free agency. These moves aim to balance the development of young talents like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Rob Dillingham with experienced NBA production.
The organizational shift is significant. After years of middling results, the Bulls are committing fully to a rebuild. Tiago Splitter, a former NBA champion as a player, brings a new defensive mindset. His challenge is to improve a team that struggled on both ends of the court last season. You can track the progress of the new-look roster on our roster page.
How will the young core develop?
Josh Giddey's playmaking and Matas Buzelis's versatility offer a solid foundation. Rob Dillingham provides scoring punch off the bench. The key is integrating Caleb Wilson quickly. His ability to score from the perimeter and attack the paint will be tested immediately. The Bulls need him to be a primary option from day one.
Development isn't just about offense. The team's defensive rating was among the league's worst. Nic Claxton's shot-blocking and Norman Powell's perimeter defense should help. But real improvement requires Giddey, Buzelis, and Dillingham to commit on that end. Their growth will define the season's success more than any single win or loss.
What are the expectations for the 2026-27 season?
Realistically, the Bulls are not title contenders. The goal is clear progress. They need to see tangible improvement from their young players and establish a competitive identity under Splitter. Moving up the standings from the bottom of the Eastern Conference is a reasonable target. A 10-to-15 win improvement would signal the plan is working.
The schedule will be tough. The early part of the season features several playoff teams from last year. It's a chance to measure the new group against the league's best. Fans should watch for chemistry between Wilson and Giddey in the pick and roll. Also, monitor the team's three-point percentage, which must climb for the offense to flow. Check the upcoming challenges on our schedule page.
Can this new direction lead to playoff basketball?
Playoffs remain a distant goal, but not an impossible one. The Eastern Conference has a long middle tier. If Wilson plays like a Rookie of the Year candidate and the veterans stay healthy, a play-in spot is conceivable. The front office likely has more moves planned, using future draft capital and cap flexibility.
The final games of last season, including that high-scoring loss to Dallas, exposed clear weaknesses. Fixing them takes time. This season is about laying a foundation. If the young core takes a collective leap, the Bulls could be back in the conversation sooner than many expect. The journey starts now.
