Bryson Graham recognizes the assignment fully, and the new Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations knows how fragile pulling it off will be.
Be competitive but understand it is Year 1 of a rebuild.
Let his new coaching staff focus on development of the young talent but realize that the standings somewhat matter.
Look for opportunities to improve the team – future and present – but keep a tight grip on his own future draft assets no matter how ahead of schedule the rebuild looks to be.
The NBA regular season tips off this week. Good luck.
“Even if the results haven’t caught up to the process, that’s OK,” Graham said recently when discussing his mindset about the season. “This foundation is being laid brick by brick to bring a championship back to the city of Chicago and raising that banner keeps me up at night.”
Not the only thing, either.
Because of the new “3-2-1 lottery” system, the days of tanking to the basement are over. The actual sweat spot in the standings for a rebuilding team – Graham’s exact description of this team – are finishing Nos 4-10. That earns three lottery balls and an 8.1% chance at No. 1.
That’s why the Bulls chased down veterans like Norman Powell and Nic Claxton this summer, and a team like Brooklyn added a Julius Randle and retained Michael Porter Jr. The league has moved the rebuild landing zone from the basement to the lower stoop of the porch.
While the 2027 draft class takes a huge talent dip from the last two classes, there is still help at the top, whether it’s Tyran Stokes, Caleb Holt, Bruce Branch III or Jordan Smith Jr., there are pieces that can push Graham’s plan forward.
Now, can it be executed?
“Of course we want to win every game, we want to compete every night, but we cannot forget how those guys are developing, how is our identity, culture, our standards?” coach Tiago Splitter added. “Those are the things we’re looking for to build and be consistent with that every day. We have a lot of young guys on our team and we’re all excited, but we’ve got to be patient. They’re going to go through some pain. That’s part of the job.”
Let the high-wire act begin.
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE NBA BOTTOM
5. Brooklyn Nets
4. New Orleans Pelicans
3. Memphis Grizzlies
2. Milwaukee Bucks
1. Sacramento Kings
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE EASTERN CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON
1. Philadelphia 76ers
2. New York Knicks
3. Detroit Pistons
4. Boston Celtics
5. Cleveland Cavaliers
6. Indiana Pacers
7. Miami Heat
8. Toronto Raptors
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
76ers over Knicks in six
ALL-EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
G – Jalen Brunson – NYK
G – Donovan Mitchell – CLE
F – Kawhi Leonard – TOR
F – Giannis Antetokounmpo – MIL
C – Joel Embiid – PHI
ALL-EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
G – Cade Cunningham – DET
G – Tyrese Maxey – PHI
F – Jayson Tatum – BOS
F – Jaylen Brown – PHI
C – Bam Adebayo – MIA
EASTERN CONFERENCE HONORS
MVP – Jalen Brunson – NYK
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Brandon Miller – CHA
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Caleb Wilson – BULLS
COACH OF THE YEAR – Nick Nurse – PHI
COACH ON THE HOT SEAT – Kenny Atkinson – CLE
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER – Pascal Siakam – IND
MOST OVERRATED PLAYER – Karl-Anthony Towns – NYK
BIG-NAME TRADE CANDIDATE – Anthony Davis – WAS
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE REGULAR SEASON
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Houston Rockets
4. Minnesota Timberwolves
5. Denver Nuggets
6. Dallas Mavericks
7. Los Angeles Lakers
8. Utah Jazz
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Thunder over Spurs in seven
NBA FINALS
Thunder over 76ers in six
ALL-WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
G – Luka Doncic – LAL
G – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – OKC
F – Cooper Flagg – DAL
F – Chet Holmgren – OKC
C – Victor Wembanyama – SAS
ALL-WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
G – Devin Booker – PHX
G – Anthony Edwards – MIN
F – Zion Williamson – NOLA
F – Jaren Jackson Jr. – UTAH
C – Nikola Jokic – DEN
WESTERN CONFERENCE HONORS
MVP – Luka Doncic – LAL
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Amen Thompson – HOU
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Cameron Boozer – MEM
COACH OF THE YEAR – Ime Udoka – HOU
COACH ON THE HOT SEAT – JJ Redick – LAL
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER – Ajay Mitchell – OKC
MOST OVERRATED PLAYER – LaMelo Ball – MIN
BIG-NAME TRADE CANDIDATE – Domantas Sabonis – SAC