RealGM Basketball Wiretap

06 May 2026

• Bulls Pursuing Celtics Assistant GM Dave Lewin For Front Office Role

  Although Dave Lewin did not land the Chicago Bulls' executive vice president of basketball operations position, the organization intends to pursue the Boston Celtics assistant general manager for a front office role.

  Lewin's interview left a strong impression. One source described the internal push to bring him aboard in clear terms: "We need to find someone very much like Dave Lewin" if the Bulls cannot secure him.

  Lewin was one of three finalists for the lead position that ultimately went to Bryson Graham, who was hired away from the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. Lewin's presentation stood out specifically for its depth in analytics and organizational strategy.

  Currently behind Brad Stevens and Mike Zarren within the Celtics' front office, Lewin built his reputation with the Celtics over nearly a decade. He joined the organization as a scout before becoming director of player personnel in 2019 and was promoted to assistant general manager in 2023.

  For Graham, landing Lewin would provide immediate analytical support as he works to restructure a front office widely described as fractured under the previous regime. Chicago has granted Graham broad autonomy to build out his staff as he sees fit.

• Tom Thibodeau Eyes Coaching Comeback, Would Consider Return To Bulls

  Tom Thibodeau is actively pursuing a return to coaching and has expressed strong interest in re-entering the NBA, with league sources telling The Athletic that the 68-year-old is open to a reunion with the Chicago Bulls if the organization shares that interest.

  Thibodeau spent the 2025-26 season away from basketball after the New York Knicks dismissed him last summer, despite the team reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. The Bulls job would carry particular significance, as Chicago is where Thibodeau built his head coaching reputation before departing in 2015.

  Thibodeau's track record suggests a short absence from the sidelines before returning. Following his exits from the Bulls in 2015 and the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2019, Thibodeau returned to coaching within one season each time.

  Any potential Bulls reunion would require buy-in from CEO Michael Reinsdorf and newly hired executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham, who joined the franchise Monday after being hired away from the Atlanta Hawks.

  Thibodeau is one of several coaches expected to draw interest across a wide-open market this offseason. Current vacancies include the Bulls, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers and New Orleans Pelicans. The Golden State Warriors also faces uncertainty, with Steve Kerr still deciding whether to continue coaching.

• Bryson Graham Given Full Autonomy By Bulls To Rebuild Front Office

  The Chicago Bulls selected Bryson Graham as their new executive vice president of basketball operations over several high-profile candidates, with team sources telling ESPN the 39-year-old stood out for his range of experience and ability to unify a front office widely viewed as disjointed under the previous regime.

  Matt Lloyd, who spent 17 seasons with the Bulls across multiple roles from 1995 to 2012, had been considered the frontrunner league-wide due to his organizational ties. Graham ultimately won out, with sources citing his diverse career background as a key factor in the decision.

  Chicago is expected to grant Graham broad autonomy in restructuring the front office, sources told ESPN. That flexibility was a deliberate choice by CEO Michael Reinsdorf, who hired a search firm and conducted a thorough process that included interviews with Mike Gansey of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Dave Telep of the San Antonio Spurs and Dave Lewin of the Boston Celtics.

  Graham now inherits a roster that includes Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, Tre Jones and Noa Essengue, who missed nearly all of last season following left shoulder surgery. Finding a head coach to replace Billy Donovan, who stepped down after six seasons, is among his first priorities.

  The Bulls also enter the offseason with significant resources. Chicago holds its own 2026 lottery pick, Portland's 2026 first-round selection and nearly $60 million in cap space, giving Graham a strong foundation heading into a deep draft class.

  Chicago finished 31-51 this season, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.

• Bryson Graham Hired By Bulls As Executive Vice President Of Basketball Operations

  Bryson Graham has been hired by the Chicago Bulls as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. Graham was most recently senior vice president for the Atlanta Hawks.

  Graham had spent 15 seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans before joining the Hawks last offseason.

  The Bulls also considered a number of other candidates for the job with Matt Lloyd of the Minnesota Timberwolves considered the frontrunner at one point. Dennis Lindsey was the other finalist for the job before Michael Reinsdorf and the Bulls moved forward with Graham.

  Graham will replace Arturas Karnisovas running the front office of the Bulls as they continue their rebuild.

  "I am incredibly honored to join the Chicago Bulls organization," said Graham. "This is one of the most storied franchises in the history of professional basketball, and I feel a tremendous sense of responsibility to deliver results for this city and these fans. My entire career has been built on the belief that sustained success starts with finding the right players and developing an all-around impactful culture. I want to thank Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf and the entire Bulls organization for presenting me with this opportunity. I am ready to get to work."

  "We're excited to name Bryson Graham as our Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations," Reinsdorf said. "Bryson is an elite talent evaluator who has earned tremendous respect across the league, and that stood out immediately during our process. He has worked his way up through basketball operations from the ground level, and that experience has given him a deep understanding of how to build and sustain a successful organization. He is an effective communicator, a disciplined and thoughtful decision-maker, and someone who truly connects with players and people.

  "He understands today's league, today's players, and what it takes to develop talent and build a winning culture. Just as important, Bryson is committed to building a high-level group around him. He knows what he does well, and he is focused on surrounding that with strong leadership across strategy, scouting and player development. This is an important step for our organization. We know there is work ahead, but we are confident in Bryson's ability to lead, build and move us forward."

• Matt Lloyd Takes Lead To Be New Bulls' Head Of Basketball Operations; Would Hire Micah Nori As Coach

  Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd has reportedly taken the lead to become the new head of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls, sources told Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

  Lloyd could be hired for the job over the next few days.

  Lloyd previously worked for the Bulls, with current Bulls' advisor John Paxson remaining a strong supporter.

  Cowley adds that should Lloyd get the Bulls' top job, he would hire Micah Nori as the next head coach.

  The Hawks' Bryson Graham, Pistons' Dennis Lindsey, and Celtics assistant GM Dave Lewin also remain in the running.

• Peyton Watson Drawing Interest From Lakers, Bulls, Nets

  Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson is drawing interest from the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls, and Brooklyn Nets, sources told Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  Watson will be a restricted free agent this offseason.

  The Lakers and Bulls were reportedly interested in trading for Watson at the deadline.

  Executives from around the league believe that Watson could receive a larger deal than Christian Braun's five-year, $125 million contract.

  Watson is currently out due to a hamstring injury and is likely to miss all of the Nuggets' first-round series against the Wolves.

  The 23-year-old averaged 14.6 points and 4.9 rebounds on the year.

• Bulls To Interview Dave Lewin, Matt Lloyd, Dennis Lindsey, Bryson Graham In Next Round For Lead Basketball Ops

  The Chicago Bulls are set to do in-person interviews with Dave Lewin, Matt Lloyd, Dennis Lindsey, and Bryson Graham for the lead basketball operations role, sources told Jake Fischer of The People's Insider.

  Lewin is currently an assistant general manager with the Mavs.

  The Bulls are currently on pace to hire for the position before the NBA Draft Combine.

  The Bulls will have their own lottery pick in addition to a second lottery pick from the Blazers.

• Billy Donovan Negotiated Out Clause In Bulls' Extension During 2025 Offseason

  Billy Donovan quietly positioned himself for a clean return to the coaching market months before stepping away from the Chicago Bulls, negotiating a contract clause during the 2025 offseason that granted him a personal exit option for the 2026-27 season.

  Donovan secured the extension after the Bulls blocked the New York Knicks from interviewing him as a potential replacement for Tom Thibodeau. The deal, however, contained an immediate out at Donovan's sole discretion, a provision sources say reflected a shared understanding between Donovan and Bulls staffers that a rebuild was the franchise's most likely direction.

  The 60-year-old leveraged that organizational uncertainty to obtain terms that ultimately put him back on the open market entirely on his own terms.

  Chicago had been willing to retain Donovan at virtually any cost, with expanded player personnel responsibilities among the incentives available to him. Despite that, Donovan chose to exercise his option and walk away, mirroring his departure from the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of the Thunder's 2020 rebuild.

  With Taylor Jenkins hired in Milwaukee and Michael Malone departing for North Carolina, Donovan now stands as the top available head coaching candidate in the league. League sources anticipate he will draw serious interest from prominent positions, including some that have not yet officially become available, depending on playoff outcomes.

• Matt Lloyd, Bryson Graham, Dennis Lindsey Considered Favorites For Bulls GM Role

  The Chicago Bulls have reportedly completed their first round of interviews for a new head of basketball operations. Minnesota Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, Atlanta Hawks VP of basketball operations Bryson Graham and Detroit Pistons VP of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey are considered the finalists to be the Bulls next lead decision-maker.

  Chicago has also met with Cleveland Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey and San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Dave Telep. All of the initial meetings were reportedly conducted virtually.

  The one of the meetings with candidates took on a tone of a rebuild for Chicago. The Bulls fired Arturas Karnisovas from his role near the end of the season, and last week head coach Billy Donovan decided not to return for next season. That has the team primed for a full reset this offseason.

• CAA's Austin Brown Decides Not To Pursue Bulls' President Of Basketball Job

  CAA agent Austin Brown has decided not to pursue the Chicago Bulls' head of basketball operations position. Brown was the only candidate to not currently work in an NBA front office.

  Brown represents Cooper Flagg, Trae Young, Donovan Mitchell, OG Anunoby, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Myles Turner, amongst others.

  The Bulls are also considering Minnesota Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, Detroit Pistons senior vice president Dennis Lindsey, Atlanta Hawks senior vice president Bryson Graham, Cleveland Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey and San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Dave Telep.