As someone who doesn’t fit the typical profile of an NBA coach, Tiago Splitter isn’t a fan of labels.
“Foreign, big guy, 6-11 —you don’t see many of those [as coaches],” said Splitter, a champion with the Spurs during a seven-year NBA career before becoming an assistant coach, then the Timberwolves’ interim coach last fall and now the Bulls’ head coach. “I was behind the bench in Houston with the Rockets, and I wanted to prove people wrong because sometimes we [assign] labels like that. So that’s the reason I went to Paris [to coach in 2024-25]. I wanted to lead a team. I wanted to be a head coach. I wanted to get a group of guys where they didn’t expect them to be and get them better, and I did that in Paris.
“I came back to the NBA, stuff happened, got a chance to lead a team again [in Portland], and I did the same thing.
“[So] I don’t like to put labels on people. I hate it when they put it on me.”
He likely has been irritated somewhat in the days leading up to the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday night, because that’s what the league becomes this time of the year — a series of labels: “Can’t miss.” “Athletically challenged.” “Unpolished.”
Forward AJ Dybantsa, the projected No. 1 overall pick out of BYU, has an inconsistent outside shot. Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, the projected No. 2, has an inconsistent motor. Duke forward Cameron Boozer supposedly lacks some athleticism. North Carolina for-ward Caleb Wilson, projected at No. 4, where the Bulls currently sit, seems allergic to making shots outside the paint.
Still, as much as all these prospects have been put under a microscope, the general consensus is this could prove to be one of the deepest and most talented draft classes since the vaunted 1996 class, which included future icons Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen and Steve Nash.
And the Bulls find themselves in the rare position of having drafting power, edged out only by the Grizzlies, who hold the No. 3 and No. 16 picks in the first round and the No. 32 pick early in the second. The Bulls have Nos. 4 and 15 in the first round and Nos. 38 and 56 in the second.
Talent is coming. Exactly who that ends up being, especially at No. 4, is the question, but fortunately for the Bulls, there are four great answers. Although it’s a deep class, Dybantsa, Peter-son, Boozer and Wilson are the clear top tier. The latest intel has the Wizards, with the No. 1 pick, going back and forth between Dybantsa and Peterson, but that could be a smokescreen. The Jazz, at No. 2, might also be using one with their reminders that Boozer’s father, former Bulls forward Carlos Boozer, works for them as a scout and consultant.
Could Peterson, with the baggage of inconsistency and a concerning medical history, fall to No. 4? It’s possible, and that’s why the Bulls are in such a strong position. They’ll have the option of one of the big four no matter how the first three selections play out.
Splitter would seem to be a good coaching match for any of them. He’s a former forward/center who help develop Alperen Sengun in Houston, but he also helped turn Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija into an All-Star and contributed to young guard Scoot Henderson reviving his career. That’s good news for Wilson, who only worked out for the Bulls, and for Peterson if he does end up sliding.
As for the Bulls’ No. 15 pick, there are all sorts of scenarios floating around. They include drafting 7-3 rim protector Aday Mara of Michigan (if he drops far enough), roughneck Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. or Baylor two-way threat Cameron Carr.
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