Bulls Tap Bryson Graham to Lead Basketball Operations in Franchise Reset.

The Chicago Bulls have landed a new lead voice in their front office, hiring Bryson Graham as executive vice president of basketball operations, the team confirmed Monday. Graham arrives after a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks, where he served as senior vice president under general manager Onsi Saleh. Before that, he spent more than a decade with the New Orleans Pelicans, working his way from an entry-level role in 2010 to general manager during the 2024–25 season. Around the league, Graham has built a reputation as a sharp evaluator of talent. His draft résumé includes identifying impact players across the board, from mid-first-round picks like Trey Murphy III and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to second-round value in Herbert Jones. He also played a role in selecting Dyson Daniels inside the top 10. Several of those players developed beyond expectations, reinforcing Graham’s standing as a front-office riser. Chicago’s interest in Graham was driven in part by that track record, especially with the franchise holding multiple first-round picks in what’s expected to be a strong 2026 draft. Team leadership also emphasized his experience across multiple organizational roles as a key differentiator. According to the team, CEO Michael Reinsdorf led an extensive search that included candidates such as Mike Gansey, Dave Telep, and Dave Lewin. Finalists reportedly included Dennis Lindsey and Matt Lloyd, with Lloyd initially viewed by some as the favorite due to his prior ties to the organization. Ultimately, Graham separated himself during in-person interviews and is expected to have significant control in shaping the Bulls’ front office moving forward.

He steps into a role that has seen limited turnover over the past two decades. John Paxson held the position for over a decade before Arturas Karnisovas took over in 2020. Karnisovas was dismissed late in the 2025–26 season after Chicago fell short of expectations. Graham inherits a roster in transition. The Bulls are coming off a 31–51 season and have missed the playoffs four straight years. The current core includes Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Tre Jones, and Noa Essengue, the latter of whom saw his rookie season cut short by injury. The team also has significant financial flexibility—nearly $60 million in cap space—and multiple first-round picks in 2026, including their own and one acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers. One of Graham’s first major decisions will be hiring a new head coach following the departure of Billy Donovan, who stepped down after six seasons. With a fresh voice leading basketball operations and a clean slate ahead, the Bulls are positioning this hire as a reset point for the franchise.