Report: Chicago Bulls hire Tiago Splitter from Portland, turning an interim coaching role into a head-coach opportunity

Chicago is reportedly making a targeted coaching shift by pursuing Tiago Splitter as its next head coach, according to league sources cited by Yahoo Sports. The reported decision would mark a step up for Splitter, who previously served as an acting coach with the Portland Trail Blazers and was associated with the team’s push to the postseason.

For the Bulls, the hiring process indicates a preference for staff-building and player development, an approach that can matter especially when rosters are in motion and franchises are trying to turn established talent into sustainable performance. Splitter’s reputation, as described in the report, rests on the work he demonstrated in developing players during his time in Portland’s coaching structure.

Portland, meanwhile, is described as having taken time before deciding what to do with Splitter, including whether to bring him back in a full-time capacity. The report adds that new ownership was central to the timeline, with Tom Dundon’s attention also on his NHL organization, the Carolina Hurricanes, during their own championship season run.

The structure of Portland’s decision is also described as a comparison between Splitter and multiple finalists, suggesting Chicago’s reported move comes from a point where Portland had not yet fully committed to an internal promotion path. In that sense, the Bulls’ approach would not just be about replacing a coach, but about capturing a candidate who had already built credibility in the Trail Blazers’ orbit and could carry that development-first emphasis into Chicago.

From a basketball context, the difference between an interim or acting coach and a full head-coach role is usually defined by authority over the day-to-day development plan, practice emphasis, staff continuity, and the translation of player habits into offensive and defensive identity over a full season. If Splitter indeed lands the job, the Bulls will likely look for continuity in player growth while also establishing a clearer, year-round strategic direction.

Still, because the report is not presented as an official announcement, details that fans will immediately want to confirm, including contract terms, the exact date of a formal introduction, and the scope of any staff changes, remain uncertain. Likewise, any specifics about why Portland did not finalize the decision internally are described through sources and framing rather than through a league or team statement.

What to watch next is confirmation from the Bulls and Trail Blazers with formal communications, along with what the Bulls do to assemble a full coaching staff around Splitter. For Portland, the key question will be who steps into the leading role next and whether the development approach Splitter is associated with will continue under a new interim or permanent option.

For fans, this move could shape how quickly each franchise can align talent, coaching message, and on-court execution. A coach who is known for development may be especially valuable for a team trying to stabilize its rotations and close the gap between flashes and consistent, postseason-ready performances.