The Chicago Bulls start the 2026-27 season in a place that should feel unfamiliar to anyone who has followed this team over the past few years: the beginning of an actual rebuild.
Last season was another disappointing chapter, as Chicago finished 31-51 and missed the playoffs for the fourth season in a row. The Bulls were entertaining at times, especially with their fast paced offense and heavy emphasis on ball movement, but the defense was a disaster. Chicago allowed 121.5 points per game, good for 28th in the NBA, while finishing with a -5.1 net rating
The organization finally decided that enough was enough. Artūras Karnišovas and Marc Eversley were dismissed, Billy Donovan stepped away after six seasons, and Bryson Graham took over the basketball operation. Tiago Splitter was then brought in as the new head coach, with Taj Gibson retiring from his playing career to become an assistant coach on the Bulls staff.
Currently, the Bulls aren’t pretending they’re one move away from contention. They drafted Caleb Wilson fourth overall and Dailyn Swain 15th, then added veteran scorer Norman Powell and defensive minded center Nic Claxton. There is still a long way to go. But for the first time in a while, the direction actually makes sense.
Bulls’ Biggest Offseason Loss: Anfernee Simons
The Bulls had a pair of notable departures this offseason, including Collin Sexton and Anfernee Simons. Of the two, Simons is the biggest loss.
Chicago acquired Simons during last season’s deadline deal that sent Nikola Vučević to Boston, and although his time in Chicago was brief, he immediately provided something the Bulls desperately needed, high level shot creation and three point shooting. The problem is that losing Simons is probably part of the point.
The Bulls aren’t trying to squeeze another 38-win season out of a veteran-heavy roster anymore. They are trying to figure out which young players are worth building around. Simons was a talented scorer, but his departure creates more opportunities for Josh Giddey, Rob Dillingham, Matas Buzelis and the rest of Chicago’s young core.