The renovation of the Chicago Bulls took another step forward with the hiring of Portland Trail Blazers’ coach Tiago Splitter. With Splitter uncertain about his future with the Blazers amid drastic staff cuts, the Bulls swooped in and stole him away.
On Tuesday, the VP of Basketball Operations, Bryson Graham, issued a statement confirming Splitter’s hiring, per Elias Schuster of Sports Illustrated.
“We are excited to welcome Tiago to the Chicago Bulls,” said Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President – Basketball Operations Bryson Graham. “Throughout our process, Tiago stood apart for his basketball intellect, his ability to connect with and develop players, and the way his teams compete every single night. He has won at every level of the game as both a player and a coach, on multiple continents, and we believe his vision is the right fit for our young roster. We are excited to partner with him as we build the next era of Bulls basketball.”
Splitter, 41, played in the NBA from 2010 to 2017 and overseas from 2000 to 2010. He had coaching stints with the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets, and Paris Basketball. Splitter was part of the 2014 San Antonio Spurs that won the NBA title.
In Paris, he helped lead them to the LNB Élite title and French Cup in 2025.
Splitter brings extensive experience at both the professional and international levels. From a coaching standpoint, Splitter strongly emphasizes player development, high intensity, and being adaptable. All qualities that perfectly reflect the current landscape of the NBA.
The Bulls are looking to cultivate a new identity that reflects those sensibilities after years of stagnation and rigidness.
It was those tangibles that enabled Splitter to turn things around with the Blazers this past year. Tangibles that unequivocally make him the best choice.
Tiago Splitter’s heroics with the Blazers spell possibilities for the Bulls.
Last fall, the Blazers were in a tailspin. The FBI indicted their head coach, Chauncy Billups, due to the probe into illegal gambling on the part of NBA players and coaches. Splitter came in to take on the daunting task of coaching a young team thrown into chaos.
He opened his bag of tricks and brought out his “0.5 basketball” approach, which emphasizes quickness in ball movement, shooting, and passing. Furthermore, Splitter facilitated a team that relied heavily on rebounding and second-chance points. The result was the Blazers finishing second in the league in second-chance points.
In their final 51 games, Portland went 31-20 and had a top-10 defense. Forward Deni Avdija became an NBA All-Star under Splitter’s tutelage. The locker room came together thanks to his focus on understanding roles, studying film, building trust, and being upfront.
The Blazers went 42-40 and secured a 7th seed in the Western Conference Playoffs. Splitter is now a candidate for NBA Coach of the Year.
All that put together, and the Bulls are the right team for him.
They have a youthful roster brimming with potential and fueled by a desire to play more freely.
Under Splitter’s watch, Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey can push the tempo, attack the rim more often, and expand their playmaking portfolios. Plus, Splitter can boost them into defensive assets rather than liabilities. Their play on the opposite side of the ball has received lukewarm reviews.
On top of that, if the Bulls lock up Caleb Wilson from North Carolina as the No.4 pick in the Draft, that is the perfect triple threat. Wilson, at the other end, can grab those rebounds, push it in transition, has Buzelis and Giddey on each side, and chances to score are endless for all three.
Overall, the Bulls can feel confident they’ve checked off this box on their to-do list.
The post Tiago Splitter’s Blazers success proves he’s right guy at right time for Bulls appeared first on ClutchPoints.
