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Chicago Bulls name three finalists for GM role
The Chicago Bulls are getting closer to finding a general manager to oversee the franchise’s new era.
According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Bulls have already named three finalists for their lead executive role.
Dennis Lindsey of Detroit, Bryson Graham of Atlanta and Matt Lloyd of Minnesota each interviewed this week virtually and seemingly advanced to the final round. Next steps include an in-person interview this week. If all goes well, Chicago could hire its next general manager before the city hosts the NBA’s Draft Lottery and Draft Combine.
The NBA Draft Lottery will be held on May 10, and the Draft Combine will commence during the second week of May. With such crucial events fastly approaching, the Bulls would be wise to fill their head of basketball operations soon.
Despite missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season and their lengthy title drought, the Bulls are still one of the NBA’s most prized organizations. An opportunity to serve as the team’s top decision-maker is still an enticing proposition league-wide.
Several candidates were in the mix for the role, including former Bulls star Luol Deng, but the Bulls have narrowed their search to three names.
Who Are the Bulls’ GM Frontrunners?
Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd, Hawks senior vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham, and Pistons senior VP of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey are viewed as the finalists in the Bulls‘ search for a new head of basketball operations, league sources tell Jake Fischer and Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune reported earlier this week that Lloyd was the “obvious frontrunner” for the job. Stein and Fischer refer to the veteran executive as a “prime target” in Chicago’s search.
Before taking a more senior position with the Orlando Magic in 2013, Lloyd worked for the Bulls for almost 13 seasons. He served a variety of roles, including director of college scouting.
Dennis Lindsey also has a strong case to be Chicago’s next head of basketball operations. Lindsey constructed the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert Jazz. Under his leadership, the Jazz evolved from a perennial lottery team to a respectable playoff contender.
Lindsey was also an advisor during the Mavericks‘ recent NBA Finals run. Before the team traded away Luka Doncic, Lindsey became second in command for the Detroit Pistons.
Bulls Considering Former Pelicans GM
Bryson Graham, 39, is the youngest of the three candidates. He has worked in the NBA since 2010 after playing college basketball at Texas A&M.
In 2019, Bryson Graham was promoted to Assistant General Manager of the Pelicans, a role he held until June 2024. After that, he earned a promotion to General Manager.
During his time with New Orleans, Graham brought in several notable prospects. This includes Zion Williamson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naji Marshall, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy III, Jose Alvarado, Dyson Daniels, and Yves Missi.
Graham was named to The Athletic’s 40 Under 40 list in 2022, a list he’s technically still eligible for.
“I think he’s really good,” one NBA executive said four years ago. “He’s smart, he works hard, and he knows his stuff. He’ll be a GM in the next five years.”
For a Bulls team without a star player, a skilled talent evaluator like Graham could be a logical general manager solution.
Jalyn Smoot Jalyn Smoot is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has nearly 10 years of experience in local and national media, including print and digital. He previously covered the Texas Rangers for MLB.com and the Philadelphia 76ers for Metro Philadelphia. Smoot is a St. Louis born writer that now resides in Dallas. More about Jalyn Smoot
