Chicago Bulls New Leadership Focuses on Patience and Caleb

Bryson Graham, the Chicago Bulls' new executive vice president of basketball operations, does not expect the team to contend in his first year. He is focused on setting a clear direction and building the right habits from the ground up, stating the foundation is being laid brick by brick to bring a championship back to Chicago.

Graham, reportedly among the youngest candidates interviewed for the top job, recognizes patience is required. Raising a championship banner, he admits, is what keeps him up at night. He wants to establish better standards from the beginning. "Just because the word rebuild is out there doesn't mean this can't be fun, this can't be exciting," Graham said. He is committed to not mortgaging the future for short-term gains, a sentiment he shares with new head coach Tiago Splitter.

Roster Development

Young players like Josh Giddey and rookie Caleb Wilson face high expectations amid a season of growth. Wilson, the 20-year-old selected with the No. 4 overall pick, is a focal point. Graham stated the organization must be okay with giving him grace this year, anticipating both progress and regression. "The expectations are probably pretty high because Caleb is pretty outspoken, but internally we know it’s a season of growth and development," Graham said.

Wilson has been preparing for the long NBA season. I've really been working on getting stronger and my conditioning, he said, emphasizing the need for a great body and a good headspace. He is embracing a leadership role, declaring, There is no leadership by blending in, and promising fans, Once I get better, you won't regret it.

Another young cornerstone, 21-year-old Matas Buzelis, is looking forward to increased responsibility in his third year. He feels there will be more freedom for him offensively and wants to be more aggressive defensively, believing he will have more leeway in how he plays compared to last season.

Health and Impact Players

The Bulls' rebuilding plan also hinges on the health and impact of veteran additions like defensive-minded center Nic Claxton. Claxton, added this summer, says he is fully healthy entering the 2026/27 season after back issues bothered him a couple of years ago. He is ready to get back to being an impactful player, having figured out what his body needs.

Claxton reflected that the kind of tanking his former team was engaged in can impact a player's game, but he knows it is on him to be a professional no matter the situation. He appreciates his time in Brooklyn but is focused on his new role in Chicago.

Coaching and Culture

Head coach Tiago Splitter's philosophy aligns perfectly with Graham's long-term vision. Splitter echoed that patience is required, acknowledging fans want to see wins but emphasizing the daily work of development. We want to win every game and want to compete every night, but we can't forget how those guys are developing, Splitter stated.

He, Graham, and the staff are focused on building the team's identity, culture, and standards day by day. Veteran guard Norman Powell expressed excitement about being coached by Splitter, calling him the perfect person for the job because he understands what it takes to build a young team and emphasizes togetherness. Powell, 33, sees his role as a leader for the very young roster.

Josh Giddey praised Splitter's direct communication style. Having gone through a rebuild before, Giddey understands the process. You can't skip steps, he said. You have to go through the struggle to get to the light in the tunnel. The organization's overhaul, which saw the departure of previous executives Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, has set the stage for this new era. Owner Michael Reinsdorf has spoken of his dedication to bringing the Bulls back to relevance. The message from Media Day was unified: building a championship contender will require time, commitment, and a tolerance for the ups and downs inherent in development.