While the Chicago Bulls are understandably salivating over their selection of Caleb Wilson as the No. 4 pick, they are generally accepting the No.15 pick, Dailyn Swain. But there are questions about the decision-making of VP of Basketball Operations Bryson Graham in the second round.
Ultimately, Graham decided to trade away their No.38 pick, Braden Smith of Purdue, to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for guard Kam Jones. Additionally, they got cash considerations and future second-round picks.
As a result, there are questions about why Graham chose to trade away a player who is the NCAA all-time assists leader for a player who suited up in only 37 games and averaged 4.4 points while battling a lower back problem.
One of Graham’s harshest critics is Athletic columnist John Hollinger. Hollinger took to Blue Sky to express his discontent with the move, particularly given his impression that the Pacers were likely going to do away with Jones.
“Second round picks are near-worthless, and the Pacers were likely cutting Jones and his partially guaranteed contract,” Hollinger wrote. “Y’all sold the pick.”
However, Graham is sticking to his guns about the decision, per 104.3 The Score. Essentially, Graham made the case that who was on the board was largely inconsequential to what they were looking for.
“How can we get some future assets and push this pick forward?” he says. “That was the thinking.”
Why did the Bulls trade both of their 2nd-round picks Wednesday, including No. 38 overall?
Bryson Graham explains that none of the players on the board were targets of the Bulls.
"How can we get some future assets and push this pick forward?" he says. "That was the thinking." pic.twitter.com/37KYvhiHF2
— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) June 25, 2026
One of Graham’s priorities is roster flexibility, particularly to maximize their ability to take back assets and leverage draft capital.
The Bulls have $54 million in cap space for the 2026-27 season.
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