Bulls finalizing hire of Tiago Splitter as coach, AP source says
[June 16, 2026]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls are finalizing a deal
to hire Portland Trail Blazers interim coach Tiago Splitter as their
next head coach, a person familiar with the decision told The Associated
Press on Monday.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the team
did not announce the deal, which was first reported by ESPN. |
Portland Trail Blazers interim head coach Tiago Splitter listens during
introductions before an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets,
March 23, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File) |
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Splitter, 41, joined Chauncey Billups’ staff in Portland last
June. He was elevated from assistant to interim coach when
Billups was arrested in October in a federal takedown of a
sprawling gambling operation. Billups has pleaded not guilty to
charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
Splitter coached Portland to a 42-40 record and a five-game loss
to San Antonio in the first round of the playoffs. It was the
first playoff appearance and first time the Trail Blazers
finished with a winning record since the 2020-21 season.
Splitter played for San Antonio, Atlanta and Philadelphia during
his seven seasons as an NBA player. The 6-foot-11 center from
Brazil was selected by the Spurs in the first round of the 2007
draft, and he helped the team win an NBA title in 2014.
He worked for Brooklyn for five seasons from 2018-23, first as a
pro scout and then as an assistant coach. He was an assistant
for Houston for one year before coaching Paris Basketball Club
to a French Cup championship during the 2024-25 season.
Splitter would replace Billy Donovan, who resigned after six
seasons. The Bulls had conversations with Donovan about
returning, but he decided to step aside rather than work with a
new front office.
Chicago allowed 121.5 points per game this season, ranking 28th
overall in the NBA. The Bulls finished with a 31-51 record while
missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
Bryson Graham was hired as Chicago’s executive vice president of
basketball operations on May 4. Stephen Mervis and Acie Law IV
joined the team’s revamped front office on May 19.
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