2 Big Winners, 2 Potential Losers From the Chicago Bulls Offseason

While the Chicago Bulls are still nearly two months away from their first game of the 2026-27 season, it feels safe to assume the offseason fireworks are over. After all, it's been an eventful enough stretch for the franchise, as they have completely revamped things upstairs and on the court.

With that in mind, let's take a second to review a couple of winners and losers from the summer festivities. We'll start with two folks who are likely feeling very good about where things stand before discussing a pair of players who may have an uphill battle ahead of them.

Winner: Tiago Splitter

Jun 17, 2026; Chicago, Il, USA; New Chicago Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter speaks during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

To be honest, there is a world where Tiago Splitter walks away as the biggest winner of this Chicago Bulls offseason. There is real value in being the first hand-picked head coach by a new front office. Bryson Graham is clearly bought into the idea of him leading this rebuild and establishing the kind of culture he wants, which means he should have quite the long leash to get the job done.

Does that mean his job will feel as secure as he predecessor? Not necessarily, but a rebuild takes time, which is something that Graham has already been preaching. There is a good chance that Splitter will be around for the long haul, particularly if he can build on the impressive performance he had in Portland one year ago.

Speaking of which, above all else, Splitter getting out of Portland could be huge for his career. The organization has found itself in an unfortunately rocky position under new ownership. Their new hire, Micah Nori, was only signed to a one-year prove-it deal. The fact that Splitter doesn't have to put up with that uncertainty and, instead, lands somewhere that wants to hand him the car keys makes him a huge offseason winner.

Winner: Norman Powell

Apr 7, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (24) takes jump shots during the warmup before a game against the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While it may be a name that surprises some, Norman Powell is another huge offseason winner. On paper, it was a slightly bizarre signing. The Bulls finally embraced a front office overhaul and jump-started a youth movement with No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson. Adding a 33-year-old reigning All-Star doesn't seem to fit into that equation!

At the same time, Powell saw a clear avenue to get paid and play a similar role to the one that just led to a career year in Miami. He inked a lucrative two-year, $45.0 million contract. Yes, the second year might be a team option, but that also gives him a level of flexibility to potentially sign an even better deal next offseason. And if that doesn't come to fruition, it's still a palatable enough payday that a team would likely pick it up.

I say "a team" because Powell also may have signed knowing that he could be rerouted to a contender as soon as this February. The Bulls will not be approaching this year with the postseason in mind, and Powell likely understands that. With limited veterans and a clear need for scoring, however, Powell is in a great position to put up strong numbers and attract a contender in need of shooting help.

Nevertheless, the worst-case scenario is that Powell is paid to play his brand of basketball with a bunch of young and athletic wings. He'll have a strong voice in the locker room, as well as plenty of late-game shots to hoist up. There are worse ways to spend a season!

Potential Loser: Josh Giddey

Mar 25, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Josh Giddey (3) controls the ball in front of Philadelphia 76ers guard Vj Edgecombe (77) during the third quarter at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Look, Josh Giddey isn't going anywhere in the immediate future. He is young enough – and talented enough – to remain a real part of this organization's plans. But there is also a scenario where this offseason changes a lot for the jumbo guard.

First things first, the previous front office was all-in on the Giddey experience. They handed him a four-year, $100 million deal to be the backbone of this team moving forward. The offense was going to be designed largely around his strengths as a transition playmaker. Likewise, he was going to be encouraged to carry a larger and larger weight offensively. They wanted him to become a go-to scorer.

Are we sure that Bryson Graham is going to feel the same way – let alone Tiago Splitter? Not only is Caleb Wilson now the priority, but the Bulls just drafted another potentially ball-dominant guy in Dailyn Swain. The team has even talked about the idea of Swain becoming more of an on-ball facilitator, which is a role they tested at Summer League (to little success, for what it's worth).

Again, none of this means that Giddey can not remain a key part of the Bulls' rebuild, but this likely isn't an organization that will force the issue. There is a chance he will not be asked to carry nearly the same workload, as this organization may view him as a facilitator with limited scoring upside. Let's be honest, he also doesn't necessarily fit the physical, defensive-minded profile the Bulls seem to be leaning toward.

The good news is that Giddey should have plenty of opportunities to win over this new brain trust. The current roster is still built to draw out some of his strengths in the open floor, and the addition of Nic Claxton could also be great for him in the pick-and-roll game.

Potential Loser: Jalen Smith

Mar 16, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Jalen smith (25) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (18) during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Jalen Smith has found himself in an odd spot.

On the one hand, he is coming off a very strong season that made him one of the team's more efficient two-way role players. He finally looked capable of playing both frontcourt spots, which is something many hoped Smith could do at the next level coming out of Maryland. Speaking of which, Smith spaced the floor at a 37.3 percent clip, looking at times like one of the better stretch bigs in the NBA.

On the other hand, the Bulls' new front office has only continued to add versatile wings to the roster. They also acquired a more proven rim protector in Nic Claxton, as well as re-signed Zach Collins on a two-year deal. So while Smith once looked prime for a starting or primary backup job in Chicago, it's now unclear exactly how Tiago Splitter and Company will plan to use him.

Can he really continue to eat up minutes at the four with Wilson, Buzelis, and even Leonard Miller on the team? Assuming Claxton is the new starter, can Smith beat out a healthy Collins for consistent playing time? If one thing is for sure, showcasing Collins could be in the team's best interest as the trade deadline nears.

If Smith does perform as he did in 2025-26, it will only be a matter of time before he does carve out some kind of role. However, there is no guarantee that he's a major part of this rotation, and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in trade rumors as the year goes on.

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