# Bulls Shift to Player Development

> Chicago Bulls commit to rebuilding through player development, not rushed talent acquisition
- Title: Bulls Shift to Player Development · Chicago Bulls On SI
- Summary: Chicago Bulls commit to rebuilding through player development, not rushed talent acquisition Bulls prioritize player development over quick wins with veteran…
- Keywords: chicago bulls, bryson graham, rebuild, player development, caleb wilson, matas buzelis, tiago splitter, nba, bulls on si, arturas karnisovas, marc eversley, norman powell
- Source: Chicago Bulls On SI — https://si.com/nba/bulls/onsi/the-new-look-bulls-are-all-about-player-development-and-it-s-about-time-15
- Published: 2026-09-16T04:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: chicago bulls, bryson graham, rebuild, player development, caleb wilson, matas buzelis, tiago splitter, nba, bulls on si, arturas karnisovas, marc eversley, norman powell
## Bulls' Plan Was Never Real
The Chicago Bulls' initial plan under Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley never existed, trading young players for win-now veterans instead of focusing on development.
## Playoffs Were Immediate Goal
The Bulls traded DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, and Lonzo Ball for playoff success, but the plan collapsed quickly.
## Rebuild Confirmed
Bryson Graham explicitly stated the Bulls are in a rebuild, emphasizing no skipped steps and youth-focused development.
## No Lofty Expectations
The Bulls will have no lofty expectations for the win-loss column and no skipped steps in their rebuild process.
## Development Focus
Graham emphasized the team is in the developmental stage, prioritizing smart and creative play over quick wins.
## Caleb Wilson Lottery Pick
The Bulls secured Caleb Wilson via lottery luck, but Graham remained committed to development despite the potential cornerstone.
## No Overload on Young Talent
Unlike many rebuilding teams, the Bulls avoided overloading their roster with young players to focus on development.
## Infrastructure Focus
Graham believes the Bulls can build infrastructure to maximize potential players like Wilson and Buzelis.
## Tiago Splitter Hired
The Bulls hired Tiago Splitter, a 41-year-old former player who led the Portland Trail Blazers to the postseason.
## New Coaching Staff
The Bulls added new coaching staff members, including a player development coordinator from the reigning NBA champions.
## Veteran Players Included
The Bulls added veterans like Norman Powell and Nic Claxton to provide floor stability without sacrificing development.
## Long Leash for Young Players
Young players like Dailyn Swain, Josh Giddey, Wilson, and Buzelis will have extended development time with mentors.
## Careful Free Agent Additions
The Bulls added free agents like Bennedict Mathurin without promising starting roles to prioritize development.
## Intentional Approach
The Bulls are being intentional about development priorities, avoiding rushed decisions for long-term success.
## Key takeaway

Bulls prioritize player development over quick wins with veteran players and young talent