Bryson Graham was methodical in the coaching search process.
A wide net, a thorough interview process, and a detailed plan of what boxes he wanted checked by the candidates.
With NBA free agency opening up Tuesday evening, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations wasn’t about to stray from that process when it came to roster building.
While the rollout for free agency was as slow as it’s been in recent memory, Graham eventually landed his guy Wednesday morning, as guard Norman Powell – fresh off an All-Star season with Miami – agreed to a two-year, $45-million deal with Year 2 a team option.
More importantly, Graham stuck to the mentality of this rebuild by making sure Year 2 was a team option, much like he did with the two-year, $17 million extension for center Zach Collins late Tuesday night. Yes, the Bulls want veterans around the young core, but also want the flexibility to pivot from players if need be, according to a source.
That means letting either player walk after one season or even more beneficial, using them as trade assets for younger players that fit the timeline or draft assets.
Either way, Graham had to feel like it was a win-win on both signings.
Collins provides size and physicality off the bench, especially if he can stay healthy, while Powell, 33, is coming off one of his better all-around NBA seasons, averaging 21.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists, while shooting 47% from the field and 38% from three-point range.
Powell is not only considered a solid backcourt defender but had back-to-back seasons with the Clippers where he shot over 40% from three-point range (43.5% in 2023-24 season and 41.8% in 2024-25). Huge for a Bulls roster that will be very young in the frontcourt and need as much spacing as possible to help the likes of Matas Buzelis (21 years old), Noe Essengue (19) and Caleb Wilson (19) develop.
The latest agreement leaves the Bulls with one roster spot and $9.4 million in a mid-level exception. It also gives newly-hired coach Tiago Splitter some interesting floor combinations.
On paper, Josh Giddey and Powell will make up the starting backcourt, while Buzelis, Wilson and Nic Claxton will start in the frontcourt.
That’s Giddey at 6-7, Powell at 6-4, Claxton at 6-11, and Wilson and Buzelis both 6-9.
Graham is a disciple of SLAP (Size, Length, Athleticism and Physicality), and that grouping definitely has some of those traits. Well, they at least have more than a spank like previous Arturas Karnisovas rosters have had.
That leaves a bench of Tre Jones, Rob Dillingham, Dailyn Swain, Isaac Okoro, Jalen Smith, Essengue, Collins, Leonard Miller and Patrick Williams.
Does that make the Bulls a play-in team over night? No, and that’s not what Year 1 under Graham is about. Because of the new 3-2-1 draft lottery rules, the 2026-27 campaign is about continued development for Giddey and Buzelis, while going through the growing pains for Wilson, Swain and Essengue.
If the Bulls can do that and finish between having the fourth and 10th worst records in the league – giving them the best lottery odds for 2027 – smile and call it a day.
Powell helps that process both on and off the court.
What his addition also means is while Splitter was asked about offensive style of play, especially because Portland wasn’t the high-paced team the Bulls were last season, Powell is coming from a Heat team that led the NBA in pace last season.
If Splitter wants to run, he added another quarter horse to the mix with Powell.
