There was a time former Bulls vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas had a script.

His biggest problem, however, was too much ad-libbing.

In the NBA, that often can earn one the title of ‘‘former.’’

When Karnisovas should have been zigging, he would zag. When there was a zag, he inexplicably would give it a player option.

Bryson Graham has a script. And while it’s still very early, it has been consistent. When he was hired to replace Karnisovas a couple of months ago, Graham stressed the importance of the draft and of hitting on both first-round picks as the foundation.

And every move he has made in free agency after that has supported the vision he articulated. No. 4 pick Caleb Wilson and No. 15 pick Dailyn Swain have a two-year window to show what they are and what they can become. Sprinkle in whatever Graham adds from the 2027 draft, and that will be the base of the Bulls’ rebuild.

Nic Claxton is coming off the books after the 2027-28 season. Norman Powell signed a two-year, $45 million deal with a team option in the second year. Zach Collins got an extension for two years, with the second on a team option. And the Bulls will have an option on Tre Jones after the coming season, too.

There’s even some flexibility with Josh Giddey’s contract after 2027-28, leaving him on an expiring deal for 2028-29 at a team-friendly $25 million.

Patrick Williams? Well, that’s the contract that keeps on giving. (Thanks, Arturas.)

So while some fans might feel underwhelmed by the Bulls’ moves so far, this was the script. There was very little the Bulls realistically could have added to try to shorten their rebuild without winding up nestled between mediocrity and hell — again.

Did they win the free-agency week? No, but they weren’t supposed to. Matas Buzelis, Wilson and Swain will let Graham know when it’s time for him to rewrite the script. If they develop sooner than later, the current roster construction supports that. If they need a full two more seasons, Graham has them covered.

For critics of that or those unable to understand the Bulls’ plan, quiet on the set.

Real winners of free-agency week

76ers: Those in the front office should be wearing ski masks after the heist the 76ers pulled off with the Celtics. Acquiring a motivated Jaylen Brown for a diminishing Paul George and a package of draft picks was a trade felony. Along with the addition of Dean Wade, that means the 76ers no longer have to bank everything on Joel Embiid’s health.

The starting five of Brown, Wade, Embiid, Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, along with rookie Labaron Philon Jr. coming off the bench, has the 76ers in position to make a deep run in the Eastern Conference.

Centers: Robert Williams signed a three-year, $44 million deal with the Trail Blazers. The Bulls rescued Claxton from the Nets and gave Collins an extension. Kristaps Porzingis got a two-year, $40 million extension from the Warriors. The Lakers traded for Walker Kessler, then gave him a four-year, $130 million deal. And the Thunder and Spurs drafted a stable of potential centers in their arms race.

It’s a good time to be a big man in the NBA, especially one who can protect the rim and run the floor. If a team has one who can stretch the floor, too, that’s a bonus. But size matters in the league right now.

LeBron James: ‘‘The King’’ will make his final tour next season, but where?

James once again will hijack the NBA news cycle as he figures out whether he will join Stephen Curry and the Warriors or whether he will take a final bow with the Cavaliers, who drafted him as a kid out of Akron. Will there be a mystery team that jumps in? It’s all great drama for the league.

Hornets: LaMelo Ball finally had some adult moments this past season, helping the Hornets get to a play-in game — in Year 6 of his career. Therein lies the problem. He averages just more than 50 games played and spent his first five seasons chasing highlights over results. Maybe things have changed and will be better with the Timberwolves, but the Hornets are building something sustainable.

In acquiring Naz Reid, an unprotected first-round draft pick in 2033 and multiple first- and second-round pick swaps, the Hornets can start to make a move in the East.