Chicago Bulls choose Bryson Graham to lead their front office as executive VP of basketball operations

Bulls President and CEO Michael Reinsdorf, who led the search along with senior adviser of basketball operations John Paxson, called Graham an “elite talent evaluator who has earned tremendous respect across the league” and someone who has worked on every level from the ground up.

“And that experience has given him a deep understanding of how to build and sustain a successful organization,” Reinsdorf said in a statement. “He is an effective communicator, a disciplined and thoughtful decision-maker and someone who truly connects with players and people. 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.”

Graham, a San Antonio native, began his NBA career with the Pelicans in 2011 as basketball operations intern and ascended through the ranks to become general manager in 2024. He played three seasons at Texas A&M from 2006-09 before becoming a graduate assistant on the Aggies coaching staff.

Graham was one of three finalists for the Bulls position, according to ESPN, beating out Minnesota Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd — a former Bulls employee who was seen as the front-runner — and Detroit Pistons senior vice president Dennis Lindsey.

Reinsdorf said in a video conference with reporters last month that he believes the Bulls can have success quickly with two first-round draft choices — their own and the Portland Trail Blazers’ — and about $65 million in salary-cap space.

Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis form the nucleus of the next Bulls team, and it will be up to Graham to fill in around them after four straight seasons without making the playoffs under Karnišovas.

The Bulls will hold an introductory news conference with Graham later in the week.

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Graham’s most important task for now will be choosing a coach to replace Donovan, who left after the season to allow the new executive to have the freedom to pick his own guy. Reinsdorf was adamant that any new executive should want to have Donovan as coach, but Donovan is currently a free agent amid speculation he’ll be a leading candidate for the Orlando Magic opening.

It’s the start of a new era for the Bulls, who have been led by only three executives — John Paxson, Gar Forman and Karnišovas — since former GM Jerry Krause resigned in 2003 after 18 years in charge.

Karnišovas’ moves in the summer of 2021 seemed to have the franchise on the right path, and DeMar DeRozan helped lead them to the 2022 playoffs. But they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games in the first round, and three straight years of losing in the play-in tournament led to this year’s dumping of veterans Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Nikola Vučević at the trade deadline.

“I hear you and understand your frustration,” Reinsdorf said in a statement after Karnišovas was fired last month. “I feel it as well. I know this will take time and I am fully committed to getting this right.”

The Bulls believe the hiring of Graham is a big step in getting it right.