Did the Bulls Almost Sign One of the EuroLeague's Best Players This Offseason?

The Chicago Bulls were reportedly eyeing one of the top overseas talents this offseason.

In a recent interview with French publication L'Equipe, Sylvain Francisco shared that multiple teams had interest in bringing him to the NBA this summer. He specifically called out the Chicago Bulls in the interview, noting that the timing didn't work out for multiple reasons.

The following is a transcription of Francisco's comment via Eurohoops:

“Yes, in the NBA, there were openings, at least five or six teams, many on guaranteed two-year contracts. I had the opportunity with the Chicago Bulls, but the trade they wanted to make before stalled because in the NBA, everyone was waiting for LeBron’s decision. However, my deadline was until July 20, and LeBron signed… four days later," Francisco reportedly told L'Equipe.

The deadline Francisco is referring to is apparently a clause in his contract that allows him to opt out of his ASVEL deal up until a certain date. According to him, teams were hesitant to make any moves until LeBron James made his decision, which didn't happen until after Francisco had to make a decision on where to go next season.

Francisco suggests that the Bulls, in particular, were ready to bring him in, but only once they completed a trade. This never came to fruition, evidently closing the door on a partnership between Francisco and the Bulls.

Francisco is now expected to play the 2026-27 season with Panathinaikos. He was an All-EuroLeague First Team player this past season and finished second in MVP voting. He averaged 16.7 points and 6.4 assists while shooting 39.9 percent from downtown. He helped lead his former team, BC Žalgiris, to a 24-18 record.

Francisco went undrafted in 2019 and played one Summer League stint with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022.

Were the Bulls Really Targeting Sylvain Francisco?

Jun 17, 2026; Chicago, Il, USA; Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham (R) introduces Chicago Bulls new head coach Tiago Splitter (L) during a press conference at Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It's hard to know how much stock to put in Sylvain Francisco's words. While it's likely true that his camp was in talks with several NBA teams after his best season yet, did LeBron James' decision truly hold up a deal?

Likewise, why did the Bulls have to get a trade done to bring Francisco in? They have had an open roster spot for weeks. If they were really set on adding him to the mix, they could have pretty easily made it work. We've also heard very little about possible trades for Bryson Graham. That doesn't mean discussions weren't had that could open a different spot for Francisco, but it's all very ambiguous.

Having said that, Francisco is a six-foot-one point guard with a smooth three-point stroke. When we consider the Bulls' lack of depth in the backcourt, he could've made some sense as an addition on paper. He also noted that the discussions with NBA teams were centered around two-year deals, which would align with what Graham has done recently.

Francisco may be only 28 years old, but the Bulls find themselves in a situation where they can give opportunities to a player like him. If he does prove to be a legitimate contributor, Graham would just have another trade chip on his hands, let alone someone who can help a young and rebuilding team.

It's also worth mentioning that Francisco has a history with Paris Basketball. The Bulls' Tiago Splitter served as the head coach of that squad in 2024-25. To be sure, Francisco played with Paris from 2018 to 2020, so the two did not cross paths. But the French native has been on the circuit for a while, and it's certainly possible that Splitter was familiar with what he brings to the table.

Regardless, we'll likely never get true clarity on how close things actually were. If there is anything to take away from a report like this, it's probably that the Bulls' new front office is seemingly casting a wide net. It could mean that they sniff around the EuroLeague at another point down the road, as Graham may be willing to serve as a testing ground for players early in this rebuild.

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