In his first press conference as the new VP of Basketball Operations, Bryson Graham was candid about what lies ahead for the Bulls.
CHICAGO — In his first official press conference as the Chicago Bulls’ new Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, Bryson Graham delivered a refreshingly candid assessment of the franchise’s current state, striking a tone of realism rather than hype while outlining a deliberate, measured path forward.
Speaking alongside team owner Michael Reinsdorf on Wednesday, Graham made it clear that the Bulls are not on the verge of a quick turnaround. Instead, the organization is firmly planted in what he repeatedly described as the “beginning stages” of a genuine rebuilding process.
“It’s going to take time,” Graham said. “I think the roster we’re in the developmental stage right now. I think everyone in here knows we are not where we want to be… We just want to be smart and we want to be also creative and opportunistic, right? But we’re obviously going to take our time. This is not going to be something that is rushed. This is the beginning stages. This draft is going to be the first real layer to this foundation going forward.”
Graham’s comments represent a notable shift in messaging for a franchise that has spent much of the past decade in a murky middle ground — too good to fully bottom out for elite lottery talent, yet not talented enough to contend seriously in the Eastern Conference. By openly acknowledging the lack of star-caliber players and the need for sustained high-level drafting, the new front-office leader is setting expectations realistically rather than promising immediate contention.
“Most rebuild situations is when you don’t have star-caliber players,” Graham explained. “So right now, not to say that we don’t have anyone on this roster that can get there, but until we continue to draft well, add to this mix, and add more overall talent and team identity, we are in the rebuilding phase.”
The timing of Graham’s introduction is significant. The 2026 NBA Draft will be held in Chicago on Sunday, May 10, giving the new executive an immediate opportunity to begin shaping the roster on the biggest stage in front of the home crowd. The Bulls enter the draft armed with two top-15 selections, a direct result of the Portland Trail Blazers’ Play-In victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in April.
Analysts have long pointed to Chicago’s need for high-upside young talent and a clearer team identity as critical missing pieces. Graham’s emphasis on patience, smart decision-making, and using the draft as the “first real layer” of the foundation suggests the Bulls are prepared to resist the temptation of short-term veteran signings that could jeopardize long-term flexibility.
While Wednesday’s press conference offered few specifics on potential trade scenarios or free-agency plans, Graham’s overarching message was one of process over panic. The new VP made it evident that any moves made in the coming months — whether in the draft, via trades, or in free agency — will be filtered through a long-term lens rather than a win-now mandate.
For a Bulls fanbase that has endured years of incremental progress followed by stagnation, Graham’s transparency may prove refreshing, even if the timeline he outlined requires continued patience. The real test, of course, will begin Sunday night in Chicago, when the franchise takes its first tangible steps under the new regime.
The rebuilding clock has officially started. And according to Bryson Graham, the Bulls plan to get it right — even if that means taking the necessary time.