CHICAGO — Chicago Bulls chief executive officer Michael Reinsdorf opened Wednesday’s introductory news conference for new vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham by apologizing to fans and accepting full responsibility for the franchise’s recent struggles.
“It flows up to me, and I take responsibility,” Reinsdorf said. “I do feel that today is a step in the right direction. It’s an important step.”
Graham, 39, arrives after stints with the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans and will serve as the organization’s top decision-maker. Reinsdorf described him as an elite talent evaluator who advanced from intern to general manager without “shortcuts.”
During the briefing, Graham made clear that the Bulls are embarking on a rebuild. “I’m not going to mince words and say we’re further along if we just add a couple of pieces, because that’s not the case,” he said.
Chicago has not won a playoff series since the 2014-15 season and has reached the postseason only twice in the last 10 years. Graham will have two first-round selections in the 2026 NBA draft — the Bulls’ own lottery pick and the Portland Trail Blazers’ pick — along with roughly $60 million in salary-cap space. He indicated the front office would need to be “creative” to maximize those funds.
The Bulls also must replace former head coach Billy Donovan, who stepped away after the season. Graham plans to begin the coaching search next week, targeting a leader with strong offensive and defensive principles and a track record of player development. “Let’s find the most competent and most talented people,” he said. “That could be a coach you may not have heard of, and I might get killed for it. But if I believe in him, I’m going to hire him.”
Reinsdorf pledged to support Graham’s vision and said the franchise is willing to pay the luxury tax if it is contending for a championship. Chicago has triggered the tax only once, in 2012-13. “If we’re competing for championships, we expect that we’ll probably be in the luxury tax and [we’re] totally OK with that,” Reinsdorf said. “I don’t want to be in luxury tax for a team that’s not in the playoffs.”
Source: ESPN
