Finally, it’s the dawn of a new era for the Chicago Bulls. With Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley gone in infamy, the Bulls hired Bryson Graham to serve as their new executive VP of basketball operations.
Graham has kept a low profile for most of his career, but he’s earned praise for his scouting and talent evaluation skills. After successfully helping revamp the New Orleans Pelicans and Atlanta Hawks’ rosters, he’ll now look at roughly $60 million in cap space and two first-round picks in the Windy City.
Considering that, he may turn to familiar faces in free agency. Graham was a part of the brass who pushed to get Jonathan Kuminga, and with him likely becoming a free agent soon, the Bulls might now get a chance to sign him.
Jonathan Kuminga could be an intriguing pickup for the Chicago Bulls
While still coming off the bench, Kuminga showed signs of promise in his brief tenure with the Hawks. The team might decline his $24 million team option to try to sign him to a long-term deal, or, given his history of public complaints about his lack of usage, he might let them know that he’s not happy with a second-unit role.
Notably, the Bulls could get a direct line at him either way. He’s one of the most athletic players in the league, and even though consistency has been an issue, he has the potential to be a 20+ point scorer and also provide elite wing defense. He’s a good fit next to Matas Buzelis, who’s a better shooter but not as athletic.
Of course, the Bulls should also want to give Noa Essengue a chance to prove himself after missing most of his rookie campaign with an injury, but he’s a project, so he might be better suited to come off the bench at first.
A core of Josh Giddey, Kuminga, Buzelis, Essengue and two lottery picks would certainly be enough to get the crowd pumped at United Center. More importantly, it might be the first step toward finally stepping out of basketball purgatory and toward contention.
Kuminga is still a promising player. Per 36 minutes, he averages 20.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 three-pointers per game on 50.2/33.2/69.9 shooting splits, and he’s only 23 years old.
The Bulls may have enough cash to spend to try and get back to contention right away, but after years of refusing to embrace a full-scale rebuild, they might be better off rolling the dice on young players with a high upside, such as the former Golden State Warriors lottery pick.
Will he be Graham’s first big move?
Graham’s track record suggests he’s not interested in half-measures. By targeting Kuminga—a explosive, high-upside wing who can attack the rim with ferocity and guard multiple positions—he’s signaling an aggressive approach to roster construction. Pairing Kuminga’s raw athleticism and scoring instincts with Buzelis’ shooting and spacing creates a dynamic frontcourt duo that could torment Eastern Conference defenses for years to come. The “athletic apex predator” label fits Kuminga perfectly; at 23, his physical tools remain elite even as his game continues to refine.
This move wouldn’t just inject talent—it would inject belief. Chicago fans have waited long enough for relevance. If Graham pulls this off, the United Center could finally roar again, not for a middling playoff push, but for a young, hungry core built to climb. The East better take notice.