Bulls tap rising executive Bryson Graham to lead basketball operations

The move signals a fresh direction for a franchise looking to reestablish itself as a contender in the Eastern Conference. Graham arrives in Chicago after a brief stint with the Atlanta Hawks , where he served as senior vice president. He was recruited to Atlanta by general manager Onsi Saleh just last summer, but his rapid rise across the league made him a prime target for teams seeking innovative leadership in their basketball operations departments.

Before his time with the Hawks, Graham spent 15 years with the New Orleans Pelicans organization, building a reputation as a sharp evaluator of talent and a forward-thinking executive. His tenure in New Orleans began humbly as an intern during the 2010–11 season. Over the years, he climbed steadily through the ranks, eventually being named general manager for the 2024–25 season.

His journey from intern to GM has been widely regarded as one of the more impressive developmental arcs for an NBA executive in recent memory. Bulls bet on Bryson Graham to lead new era Now, Graham takes over as the Bulls ’ top decision-maker, a role that will place him at the center of all basketball-related decisions, including roster construction, player development, and long-term organizational strategy. Chicago has struggled with consistency in recent seasons, and ownership is clearly banking on Graham’s track record of growth and talent identification to reshape the team’s future.

The hiring also reflects a broader trend across the NBA, where franchises increasingly value executives with diverse experience and a demonstrated ability to evolve within modern front-office structures. Graham’s blend of scouting expertise, analytics integration, and organizational leadership makes him a compelling choice for a Bulls team eager to return to relevance. For Chicago, this move is more than just a front-office change—it’s a calculated bet on a rising executive who has steadily earned respect across the league.