Chicago Bulls to hire ex-Trail Blazers interim coach

Key Points:

• The Chicago Bulls are finalizing a deal to hire Tiago Splitter as their new head coach, marking his first full-time NBA head coaching position after serving as interim coach for the Portland Trail Blazers.
• Splitter impressed the Bulls with his ability to develop young talent and maintain composure under pressure, qualities deemed essential for the team's ongoing rebuild under new executive VP Bryson Graham.
• At 41, Splitter is a rising coaching talent, having quickly transitioned from player to coach, with experience in scouting, player development, and head coaching stints in Europe and Portland, where he led the Blazers to the playoffs amid organizational turmoil.
• Splitter’s coaching philosophy emphasizes a high-speed, simplified system tailored to players' strengths, promoting repetition and decision-making ease, aligning with the Bulls’ focus on nurturing young talent during their rebuilding phase.
• He replaces Billy Donovan, who stepped down after six seasons; the Bulls are undergoing significant changes with new leadership following a disappointing 31-51 season and missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.