Jason Burgos
The Chicago Bulls are reportedly looking at going after a 2025-26 Coach of the Year contender still contracted to a playoff team from the Western Conference.
After a 31-51 finish and a fourth straight losing season, Billy Donovan decided to step down from his role as head coach of the Bulls. Now, after the installation of a new head of basketball operations in Bryson Graham, and their spot at No. 4 in the NBA Draft set, NBA insider Jake Fischer claims the team is expected to “ramp up” the search for Donovan’s replacement.
With the Bulls building from the ground up, the team is casting a wide net in its search for its next head coach. Interestingly enough, that could include a trade for a coach from the West. Fischer reports that Chicago is expected to formally request an interview with Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter.
Tiago Splitter had breakout season as Trail Blazers head coach
The seven-year NBA veteran was thrust into a very difficult situation by having to take over as head coach of the Trail Blazers after his predecessor, Chauncey Billups, was arrested for his role in a federal gambling probe, a game into the season.
The first-time head coach did an impressive job by guiding Portland to their first winning record (42-40) and trip to the playoffs since 2020-21. Furthermore, former Washington Wizards lottery pick Deni Avdija emerged from being a good player to a legit All-Star under Splitter’s watch in 2025-26. The 41-year-old Brazilian deserves a ton of credit for the job he did last season, yet it wasn’t appreciated by new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon.
Dundon has been searching for a new coach for months and is reportedly looking to land one at a budget rate. Splitter is still under contract to Portland for one more season. So, unless the Trail Blazers choose to release him from his deal, the Bulls would need to trade for the coach’s rights if they wanted to make him their next head coach.
Yet, despite the ongoing search for his replacement, Fischer reports, “whispers were circulating Monday that [Splitter getting the full-time job] can no longer be ruled out.” The NBA insider suggests that this may be the reason why Portland declines Chicago’s request for an interview.
