Targets emerge for Chicago Bulls’ head coach job

Imagn Images

Targets emerge for Chicago Bulls’ head coach job

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Zack Pearson | Last updated May 20, 2026 8:52 AM ET

The Chicago Bulls are moving in a new direction this offseason, clearing the front office as well as parting ways with head coach Billy Donovan. After hiring Bryson Graham, the Bulls search has now turned to the head coach position.

Chicago’s opening will be an attractive one despite a few years of struggles. They hold the No. 4 and No. 15 picks in the upcoming NBA Draft plus have a healthy cap situation to work with. A big offseason with the right hires and additions could speed up this rebuild which is exactly what the Bulls are hoping for.

As the search goes on, two new names have now popped up as the Bulls have put in requests to a pair of assistants around the league.

Chicago Bulls request interviews with targets

Apr 12, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New Orleans Pelicans head coach James Borrego during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

In this process there hasn’t been a whole lot of news regarding targets. But on Tuesday, news broke that the Bulls had requested interviews with two assistants around the league.

Per Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Bulls plan to seek permission to interview for Chicago’s coaching search, per sources: Charlotte assistant Lamar Skeeter, and Atlanta assistant Ryan Schmidt.

Two more candidates that the Bulls plan to seek permission to interview for Chicago’s coaching search, per sources: Charlotte assistant Lamar Skeeter, and Atlanta assistant Ryan Schmidt.

More NBA from @TheSteinLine here: https://t.co/SCERJl2zA9

And, we’re jumping back on the… https://t.co/yNPPXMBE04

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) May 19, 2026

Fischer is also connecting the Bulls to a few other big targets as well as Bleacher Nation points out:

According to Fischer, current New Orleans Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego and Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter are on the list. The Bulls are already set to talk with Borrego, while a Splitter interview is pending a formal request.

Fischer adds current Minnesota Timberwolves lead assistant coach Micah Nori, Oklahoma City Thunder assistant coach Dave Bliss and Bulls assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr. — who served under former head coach Billy Donovan — are expected to be interviewed.

The hope is that the Bulls can get a deal with someone soon ahead of the draft and free agency. From there, they can build their roster the way they envision it.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: