The Chicago Bulls are moving toward Tiago Splitter as their next head coach, and their roster should expect a voice shaped by player trust, development work, and a rapid rise through difficult jobs.
Splitter is set to arrive after an unusual season in Portland, where he moved into a bigger role and won support from Trail Blazers players.
Chicago’s decision also comes after a search that included Micah Nori, Ryan Schmidt and Wes Unseld Jr. The hire points toward a coach who connects well with players, but also one whose next team will expect sharper execution than Portland showed in key areas.
Tiago Splitter brings Chicago Bulls player trust from Portland Trail Blazers role
In a report from The Athletic, Splitter’s Portland tenure was framed through both player support and the concerns that stopped him from keeping the permanent Blazers job.
“Splitter was well liked by Portland players, who endorsed his candidacy for the permanent role during and after the season,” The Athletic reported. “However, the new ownership team was wary of areas in which the team did not improve throughout the season, particularly turnovers.”
It added, “The Blazers ranked last in the NBA in turnovers (17.3 per game) and struggled throughout the season in late-game execution, particularly on inbounds after timeouts.”
That is the full picture Bulls players should expect. Splitter can earn a locker room, command respect and grow into a role quickly, but his first Chicago season will be judged by whether that connection turns into cleaner basketball.
Damian Lillard’s exit-interview comments showed why Portland players backed him. Lillard said Splitter “did a great job” after being thrown into the head-coaching seat and noted that his voice in film sessions and huddles grew stronger as the season went on.
Tiago Splitter must turn Chicago Bulls development into late-game control
Splitter’s background explains why Chicago would see upside in the hire. He played on the San Antonio Spurs’ 2014 title team, worked in player development with the Brooklyn Nets, served under Ime Udoka with the Houston Rockets and coached Paris Basketball before his Portland rise.
For the Bulls, that matters because the roster is expected to lean on developing talent as much as immediate results. Players such as Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis need structure, accountability and a coach who can build habits over a long season.
The challenge is turning development into execution. Portland’s turnover problem and late-game struggles are exactly the areas a new Bulls coach cannot carry into Chicago if the team wants to move beyond another stuck season.
Splitter’s appeal is that players appear willing to follow him. His task with the Bulls is making sure that trust becomes fewer mistakes, better possessions and a clearer identity.
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