In a surprising move, the Chicago Bulls named Atlanta Hawks executive Bryson Graham as their new executive vice president for basketball operations. He is the first Black lead executive in Bulls history.
Most observers seemed focused on Minnesota Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, a former Bulls executive who started his career under former Bulls GM and current advisor John Paxson. Lloyd did not turn the job down despite momentum that he was the favorite entering this week. The Bulls used search firm ZRG Turnkey to help with the hiring process.
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“I am incredibly honored to join the Chicago Bulls organization,” said Graham. “This is one of the most storied franchises in the history of professional basketball, and I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to deliver results for this city and these fans. My entire career has been built on the belief that sustained success starts with finding the right players and developing an all-around impactful culture. I want to thank Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf and the entire Bulls organization for presenting me with this opportunity. I am ready to get to work.”
The Bulls have made the playoffs only twice in the last 11 seasons and have also had just two winning seasons in that span. Bulls president/CEO Michael Reinsdorf fired executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas and GM Marc Eversley on April 6. The team finished 31-51 and missed the Play-In Tournament for the first time in four years.
In Karnišovas’ six seasons in charge, the Bulls had one winning season and playoff appearance. After coach Billy Donovan opted out of his contract on April 21, the franchise is getting a full reboot. Hiring Graham is the start.
Reinsdorf shared his thoughts about the Bulls’ hiring of Graham to lead their new rebuild.
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“We’re excited to name Bryson Graham as our Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations,” Reinsdorf said. “Bryson is an elite talent evaluator who has earned tremendous respect across the league, and that stood out immediately during our process. He has worked his way up through basketball operations from the ground level, and that experience has given him a deep understanding of how to build and sustain a successful organization. He is an effective communicator, a disciplined and thoughtful decision-maker, and someone who truly connects with players and people.
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“He understands today’s league, today’s players, and what it takes to develop talent and build a winning culture. Just as important, Bryson is committed to building a high-level group around him. He knows what he does well, and he is focused on surrounding that with strong leadership across strategy, scouting and player development. This is an important step for our organization. We know there is work ahead, but we are confident in Bryson’s ability to lead, build and move us forward.”
Before moving to Atlanta last year, Graham spent 15 seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans, where he was recruited by former New Orleans GM Dell Demps. He worked his way up from intern to GM, with five roles in between. During that time, though, the Pelicans didn’t exactly wow the NBA, with just five winning seasons and five playoff appearances. New Orleans won one playoff series, sweeping Portland in 2018.
The Bulls have the ninth-best odds in this Sunday’s draft lottery, with a 20.3 percent chance at a top-four pick. After a rebuild following the 2016-17 season, the Bulls drafted twice at No. 7 and then got the No. 4 pick in 2020, using it on Patrick Williams. Karnišovas doubled down on the sunk cost by extending him. Williams never improved enough, and, by the end of Donovan’s run, was on the fringes of the rotation. He is owed $18 million in each of the next three seasons, including a player option for 2028-29.
Graham doesn’t inherit much in terms of valuable players, outside of 2024 first-round pick Matas Buzelis and point guard Josh Giddey, who has three years and $75 million left on a four-year extension. Last year’s first-round pick, Noa Essengue, missed almost all of the season after shoulder surgery, and outside of those three, the remaining players on the roster are all role players and spare parts.
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Now that the Bulls have settled on Graham, one of the biggest questions many league observers have is whether Reinsdorf will spend on the necessary infrastructure to surround Graham’s staff with elite talent. The Bulls, who have paid the luxury tax only twice, have long been considered a team hesitant to spend on all facets within the organization. The scouting and analytics department was a specific area where the Bulls lagged behind their NBA peers until recent years. Graham’s arrival gives Reinsdorf the chance to not only give his front office a completely new look but to change the narrative that has dogged the organization for years about not spending at a high enough level to compete every year.
But Graham, who played college ball at Texas A&M, has always wanted an opportunity like this to run a franchise. In an interview with The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov in 2022, he said, “It is ultimately my goal to run a team. I would love to be a general manager. I would love to be a vice president. And take everything that I’ve learned over the years and the experiences that I’ve had, and take those experiences and run an organization. I think that’s ultimately my end goal.”