Bulls enter 2026-27 season with new coach, front office and roster

Chicago rebuilt around No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson, veteran additions Norman Powell and Nic Claxton, and first-year head coach Tiago Splitter heading into the new NBA season.

The Chicago Bulls head into the 2026-27 NBA season with a significantly reshaped organization. Tiago Splitter takes over as head coach after guiding the Portland Trail Blazers to the playoffs on an interim basis last season, replacing Billy Donovan. Bryson Graham, the team's new executive vice president of basketball operations, joined from the Atlanta Hawks.

The roster also turned over. Chicago used the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft on forward Caleb Wilson and the 15th selection on forward Dailyn Swain, while adding guard Norman Powell in free agency and center Nic Claxton via trade. Collin Sexton, Anfernee Simons, Guerschon Yabusele and Nick Richards departed in free agency.

The projected starting lineup features Josh Giddey and Norman Powell at guard, Matas Buzelis and Caleb Wilson at forward, and Nic Claxton at center. Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, Dailyn Swain, Patrick Williams, Noa Essengue and Jalen Smith round out the rotation.

Chicago went 31-51 last season and missed the playoffs, finishing 12th in the Eastern Conference. The outlook projects the team closer to .500, with a projected record of 40-42 and a chance to contend for one of the East's final playoff spots if the new pieces mesh quickly.

Much of the franchise's direction hinges on Wilson, who was viewed as one of the draft's elite prospects. A strong rookie season from him would give Chicago a promising young core alongside Buzelis and Giddey.