The Chicago Bulls are at a crossroads that feels more like a pressure cooker. With Billy Donovan officially out and the front office gutted, new basketball operations boss Bryson Graham is on a mission to prove that this rebuild has teeth. And according to multiple league insiders, the Bulls aren’t just looking for a head coach — they’re looking to poach a rising star from the Pacific Northwest.
Tiago Splitter, the interim coach who took the Portland Trail Blazers from chaos to the playoffs after Chauncey Billups’ stunning FBI arrest, has become the centerpiece of Chicago’s coaching search. Sources close to the situation claim that the Bulls have been aggressively pitching themselves as a better long-term home for Splitter than Portland, where new owner Tom Dundon is reportedly slashing costs — including at the head-coaching salary line.
The Splitter Dilemma: Portland’s Loss Could Be Chicago’s Gain
Splitter inherited a dumpster fire in Portland when Billups was swept up in a massive federal gambling investigation tied to organized crime. Yet, against all odds, he guided the Blazers to a 42-40 record and their first playoff berth since the 2020-21 season. One would think that kind of performance would earn him a long-term deal on the spot. But according to league sources, when Portland’s brass finally sat down to talk contract, the numbers were — in the words of one insider — “insultingly low.”
Now, the Bulls are circling. Graham and his revamped front office have reportedly made Splitter a top finalist, dangling a four-year commitment and a front office that has his back. “Chicago’s pitch is simple,” one league executive told us. “They’re saying, ‘Come here and you’ll be the guy. Portland’s ownership is cutting corners, and you’ll be the first to feel it.’”
But Splitter isn’t the only name heating up in Chicago’s search. Minnesota Timberwolves lead assistant Micah Nori has reportedly left a strong impression on Graham during interviews. Nori, who has been a hot name in coaching circles for the last two cycles, is seen as another fresh voice capable of developing young talent — a major priority for Graham as he reshapes the roster.
Dark Horses and Surprise Finalists
While Splitter and Nori are considered the front-runners, sources say Atlanta Hawks assistant Ryan Schmidt is quietly gaining momentum as a dark-horse candidate. Schmidt has a pre-existing relationship with Graham from their time together in the league, and his work with Atlanta’s young core has not gone unnoticed.
Wes Unseld Jr., who served as Donovan’s lead assistant this past season, is also believed to still be in the mix. And what about Chris Quinn, the Miami Heat assistant who was once considered a top candidate? According to insiders, the Bulls have gone silent on Quinn, leading many to believe he’s “probably” headed back to Miami to continue as Erik Spoelstra’s right-hand man. But one source warned: “Don’t count him out yet. Chicago has been playing this close to the vest.”
Regardless of who gets the job, the Bulls’ next head coach is expected to sign a four-year deal — a clear signal that Graham is thinking long-term, not just about next season.
The Draft: Bulls Eyeing a Blockbuster Trade-Up
But the coaching drama is only half the story. With the 2026 NBA Draft just two weeks away, Chicago is reportedly exploring a major trade-up scenario that could shake up the entire lottery.
The Bulls already hold the No. 4 pick, which is expected to land them Caleb Wilson — the long, athletic forward who fits Graham’s vision of a modern NBA roster. But the real buzz surrounds Chicago’s second pick at No. 15. Multiple team sources claim the Bulls are aggressively gauging trade options to move into the top 10, and the name that keeps coming up is Illinois guard Keaton Wagler.
Wagler, a projected top-10 pick, recently worked out for the Bulls in a high-profile session that also included Kingston Flemings, Nate Ament, and Morez Johnson Jr. His draft range is reportedly as high as No. 5 to the LA Clippers and as low as No. 9 to the Dallas Mavericks. If Chicago wants him, they’ll need to make a move.
The problem? The Clippers at No. 5 are unlikely to trade down 10 spots unless they get a king’s ransom, and the Brooklyn Nets at No. 6 have signaled they’re staying put. That leaves the Sacramento Kings at No. 7 and the Atlanta Hawks at No. 8 as potential trade partners. Chicago owns all its future first-round picks through 2033, giving Graham the ammunition to make a splash.
“They’re the team everyone is watching on draft night,” one Western Conference scout told us. “If they move up, it’s for a guard — and Wagler makes all the sense in the world.”
With two picks in the top 15, a new head coach on the horizon, and a front office that is clearly playing offense, the Bulls are suddenly one of the most fascinating teams to watch this summer. Whether they land Splitter, Nori, or someone else — and whether they pull off a draft-night shocker — one thing is clear: Chicago is done waiting.
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