The Chicago Bulls are hiring Atlanta Hawks senior vice president Bryson Graham as their next executive vice president of basketball operations. As a proven elite talent evaluator, Graham is an ideal fit to lead the Bulls into their next phase.
Graham replaces Arturas Karnisovas, who was fired last month.
The 39-year-old's hire comes as a relative shock. Minnesota Timberwolves GM and Chicago native Matt Lloyd was reportedly the front-runner to fill the vacancy as recently as this past weekend.
Bulls hire Bryson Graham as executive VP of basketball operations
Graham was one of six candidates interviewed by Bulls CEO Michael Reinsdorf, along with Lloyd, Pistons senior vice president Dennis Lindsey, Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey, Spurs assistant GM Dave Telep and Celtics assistant GM Dave Lewin.
"Bryson is an elite talent evaluator who has earned tremendous respect across the league, and that stood out immediately during our process," the Bulls said in a press release. "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."
Graham should help the Bulls acquire and develop young talent
Before spending one year with the Hawks, Graham spent 15 years in the New Orleans Pelicans front office, moving up from intern to GM.
Graham was instrumental in scouting and acquiring players such as Nickel Alexander-Walker, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Dyson Daniels and Jose Alvarado.
Alexander-Walker, who Graham brought to Atlanta last offseason in a sign-and-trade deal with the Timberwolves, was this year's Most Improved Player. Daniels — also a member of the Hawks — was the 2024-25 Most Improved Player.
Jones, whom the Pelicans selected with the 35th pick in the 2021 draft, was named first-team all-defense in 2023-24. Murphy III is one of the league's premier 3-and-D wings; the Lakers and Warriors reportedly approached New Orleans with trade packages last season that included multiple first-round picks in exchange for the 25-year-old.
Graham enters a unique situation in Chicago. While the roster is devoid of high-level talent outside of Matas Buzelis, he'll inherit two top-15 picks in a loaded 2026 NBA Draft and three of the first 38 selections.
The Bulls also head into the summer with a league-high $65 million in cap space.
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