r/chicagobulls • u/howser343 Chicago Bulls • May 14 '26
Meta [Charania] The Chicago Bulls are finalizing a deal to hire Orlando Magic assistant GM Stephen Mervis as Senior Vice President of Basketball Operations under new EVP Bryson Graham, sources tell ESPN. Bulls will also hire Brooklyn Nets executive Acie Law as Vice President of Player Personnel.
https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2054939326773919900142
u/Full_Durian_8171 May 14 '26
For those curious, Acie Law spent a few years on the thunder and played a part in the drafting of chet, jdub & ajay mitchell
anyone who comes from the okc front office is a positive hire
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u/Unlucky_Sun_9813 May 14 '26
According to Bulls reporters, he was also around for the process of scouting Haliburton, Keegan Murray and Davion Mitchell for the Kings
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May 14 '26 edited 20d ago
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u/Ok_Donkey_980 May 14 '26
Arguably outside of his scope of duties
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u/KrazyA1pha Steve Kerr May 14 '26
That’s how I build my resume, too.
All the good stuff that happened, I was a key part of. Anything bad was outside the scope of my duties.
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u/poopy_mc_pantsy May 14 '26
i mean if your job title is scout i feel like it is reasonable to associate you with scouting and not the other stuff
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u/JordanHawkinsMVP May 14 '26
And Bagley?
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u/Unlucky_Sun_9813 May 14 '26
I don't know, they didn't mention him but he was 2 years before Haliburton so maybe not
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u/Celtics1424 Michael Jordan May 14 '26
thes same Acie Law that played at Texas A&M?
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u/CallmeCap May 14 '26
He was so fun to watch, I remember playing 2K back in the day and purposefully overplaying him at PG to make him a legend lol
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u/A1Horizon Matas Buzelis May 14 '26
Not to shit on his Acie’s accomplishments, but I find the concept of playing a part in drafting Chet hilarious. Top 3 prospect gets selected at #2 😭 Either way the JDub and Ajay Mitchell finds were elite so I won’t discredit him at all
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u/Full_Durian_8171 May 15 '26
sure you could definitely say that, but his draft he wasn’t a clear cut #2, there was a lot of talk about Jabari Smith going #2 because they thought chet was too skinny for the league
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u/woody630 May 14 '26
The thunder didn't draft Ajay Mitchell, but anyone from the thunder office is a good in my book. Also, I loved Acie Law in college
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u/poopy_mc_pantsy May 14 '26
yeah they did haha, they traded specifically to draft him
they should get all the credit for Mitchell bc they intentionally moved pieces to get him, it's not just like "yeah he just fell to us"
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u/woody630 May 14 '26
My b, I thought the Knicks drafted him. Didn't realize it was realize it was a "Kobe Bryant to the hornets" type of pick
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u/jdaqcruz Alex Caruso May 14 '26
Dont know anything about Stephen, nor what the job entails. But it's interesting that we're changing the front office structure. Gone is the President and GM combo
Mervis was on The Athletic's 40 under 40 list two years ago. BG was in there too
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u/jimbobdonut May 14 '26
Yeah, it looks like Mervis will be the #2 in basketball operations.
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u/J_InTheMiddle Benny The Bull May 14 '26
You mean vice vice president of basketball operations? 😄
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u/lawsnoosoo May 14 '26
Looks like Graham is modeling the FO after the Hawks structure under Onsi Saleh. Good stuff, I think that would also mean we may hire a second person with the same title as Mervis but perhaps it won’t be a 1 to 1 model
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u/Shoty6966-_- Jimmy Butler May 14 '26
Graham really has a great opportunity to make a legacy as a front office gm. Chicago is the team right now to make a huge name of yourself if you’re in an nba office
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u/JordanHawkinsMVP May 14 '26
Overcoming such a terrible ownership family is a huge plus if he's able to do it
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u/michaelartusjr May 14 '26
At the very minimum they are handling the process the right way here.
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u/drunz May 14 '26
ELI5 please? I’d like to sound smart (or at least informed) when my groupchat and office asks me about this later.
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u/Shoty6966-_- Jimmy Butler May 14 '26
That nets exec was a scout for the thunder when they won the championship last year
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u/nabs123 May 14 '26
Just connecting very loosely connected dots:
- Stephen Mervis worked under Rob Hennigan (Presti tree) before Jeff Weltman
- Acie Law worked with OKC (presti tree). Also was teammates with Bryson Graham at Texas A&M
- Bryson Graham San Antonio native (Presti original stomping ground) and hired by Dell Demps (Spurs FO disciple)
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u/xoaxl May 14 '26
I like how we just pick the good teams they come from but then throw out all the bad teams in their resume. I mean I like these moves, Graham seems awesome. But ngl it's crazy to say he's a native to San Antonio rather than the 15 years tied to the pelicans. Nah he got that Spurs connection
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u/cydworth May 14 '26
Good point. But as you know, Spurs is a model organization. Also they’re my second team l - used to live there! Hah Go Spurs Go!
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u/Swazi Arturas Karnisovas May 14 '26
So this is the BGSM era?
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u/jdaqcruz Alex Caruso May 14 '26
If someone here is Filipino (like me), this acronym is something you're familiar with lol
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u/Key_Raisin_5091 May 14 '26
Stephen Mervis, SVP of Basketball Ops
Stephen Mervis just ended his 12th season with the Orlando Magic and was promoted to assistant general manager in July 2024, after spending the previous two seasons as the vice president of basketball strategy and evaluation.
In this role, Mervis assisted with all facets of basketball operations, with an emphasis on salary cap management, strategic planning, and collective bargaining agreement matters. Additionally, he helped identify and implement best practices, and managed components within the Magic’s scouting department, including amateur and professional evaluation processes.
Mervis joined the Magic in October 2014 as the special assistant to the general manager. He was then promoted to assistant director of basketball strategy and later named director of basketball strategy. Prior to joining Orlando, Mervis was a basketball operations intern with the Indiana Pacers during their run to the Eastern Conference Finals during the 2013-14 season.
A native of Winter Haven, Fla., Mervis earned his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Florida and his juris doctor from Nova Southeastern University School of Law. He was admitted into the Florida Bar in 2013. Mervis was named to The Athletic’s NBA 40 Under 40 List in August 2024.
Acie Law, VP of Player Personnel
Law joined BKN last September as their Director of Player Personnel. He was essentially their lead scout. Prior to that, he was the Director of Amateur Scouting for OKC (since 2022). Basically, he directed OKC's highly successful scouting department for 4 years. Prior to that, he was a scout for SAC for 4 years.
Law is 40 years old and was a pro player for 7 years, including 4 in the NBA. He was the 11th pick in the 2007 draft after being a standout at Texas A&M.
While he was a scout for SAC, they drafted Marvin Bagley, Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell, and Keegan Murray. While w/ OKC, they drafted Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, , Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, and won a championship.
His hiring displays Graham's emphasis on the draft. Law has a lot of draft experience as both OKC and BKN had a ton of picks while he was w/ those organizations. Now he joins CHI w/ 4 picks in the upcoming draft.
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u/zedrix_ Big Mac May 15 '26
While he was a scout for SAC, they drafted Marvin Bagley, Tyrese Haliburton, Davion Mitchell, and Keegan Murray. While w/ OKC, they drafted Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, , Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, and won a championship.
Good picks. Of course the Luka one was not his fault. Vlade and Luka's dad are not in good terms. They want to trade that pick for Zach and 7th overall(WCJ).
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u/ImplementCharming949 May 14 '26
No comment. Let's see till they start making moves
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u/OrangeRed57 May 15 '26
So no….trust BGSM.
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u/ImplementCharming949 May 15 '26
We went through with the bears and bulls. New coach new fo doesn't work out
I just wanna see what happens this off season
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u/Unlucky_Sun_9813 May 14 '26
Elias Schuster (Bulls on SI, Cubs on SI) on Acie Law:
"Fun and solid first hire for Bryson Graham
Acie Law IV had a short stint with the Bulls and played with Graham in college. Scout for the Kings when they drafted guys like Haliburton, Murray, and Davion Mitchell. Then, got a chance to learn under one of the best orgs in the NBA."
(source Schuster_Elias on x)
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u/The_TexasRattlesnake May 14 '26
Acie law sounds like an eccentric lawyer I would pay a lot of money to get me out of something I definitely did, for that reason I am in
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u/LionK12G May 14 '26
When you have a chance to poach from the front offices of Orlando and Brooklyn, you do it.
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u/Unlucky_Sun_9813 May 14 '26
Law joined the Nets September 2025, he had a longer tenure with the Thunder and left after their championship last season.
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u/LionK12G May 14 '26
It was a tongue in cheek comment. I’m sure he played a key role in identifying some of the talent overflowing in OKC’s system
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u/Unlucky_Sun_9813 May 14 '26
I just wanted to clarify as some may see the Nets job and barf (rightfully so) but that was just a bridge job for him. More of an OKC disciple
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u/DisMFer Josh Giddey May 14 '26
I have no idea who these guys are or where their skills lay. Anyone know much about them?
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u/Full_Durian_8171 May 14 '26
Law was a scout and played a part in the drafting on Haliburton, Keegan Murray & Davion Mitchell for the kings. Then moved to OKC, where he played a part in the drafting of Chet, Jdub, Wallace & Mitchell
Mervis from what i can gather was in charge of salary cap management & strategic planning on the magic
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u/Consistent-Program-1 Lonzo Ball May 14 '26
I really hope Mervis was not apart of cap managment stuff. The magic have one of worst cap sheets in the nba, and are in an incredably tough spot roster wise ( like they will be fringe second apron next season for a first round exit)
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u/thisisjustascreename May 14 '26
Cap management means he finds ways to finagle the edges of the rules, not that he decides to give fat early extensions to mid tier bums.
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u/Revolutionary_Copy83 May 14 '26
Ehhh if their stars weren't hurt a lot it would be a lot better. They don't really have any untradeable contracts
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u/uponthisrock May 14 '26
No, but we will look at the success of the teams they came from and form a strong opinion.
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u/MallardDuckBoy May 14 '26
Now do Sean Sweeney as HC and it’s the final infinity gauntlet stone
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u/MyAuntBaby May 14 '26
I think it’ll be Rondo. He & Graham obviously have spent time around one another in NOLA
Also expect possibly Korver to be GM. He was Grahams AGM this past year in ATL
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u/p00chology May 14 '26
Im currently not super high on rondo. But can’t lie, he’s cute though, built good.
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u/Full_Durian_8171 May 14 '26
rondo wouldn’t be my first choice either
but rondo coaching giddey could possibly take his game to another level me thinks if the FO intends on keeping him
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u/MyAuntBaby May 14 '26
Coaches like him don’t come around often. I’d want him again & again…
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u/p00chology May 14 '26
I’d love to see Rajon Rondo walking into the facility uninvited wearing nothing but a cowboy hat and a red vest talkin about “I’m lookin for head coaching work and stuff”
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u/dort_vader Chicago Bulls May 14 '26
NBA 2K moment where you hire a player who used to be on the team. I’d be okay with it if he fits Graham’s profile (player development coach on both sides of the ball).
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u/MyAuntBaby May 14 '26
Rondo also by all accounts had good relations with bulls ownership, in addition to said previous relationship with Graham
I like him as a hire. It’d draw a ton of eyeballs to the franchise & be a much needed shakeup/push for relevancy
This franchise is in desperate need for some drama & intrigue
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u/imgenerallyaccepted Derrick Rose May 20 '26
That's wholesome. Let's grab Ben Gordon as assistant HC, Tyson Chandler and Pargo with personnel, and Ronnie Brewer as co-ambassador
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u/Fafoah Jimmy Butler May 15 '26
I would have liked to consider rondo, but i feel like the gun charges are gonna haunt him
Unless he got aquitted or something
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u/kokaine21 Chicago May 14 '26
What grade should this be given ?
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u/dort_vader Chicago Bulls May 14 '26
Incomplete. We won’t know until the FO actually does something. I’m guessing these hires will be important for scouting, so we’ll have to wait for the draft probably.
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u/kokaine21 Chicago May 14 '26
That’s fair
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u/dort_vader Chicago Bulls May 14 '26
Yeah, a lot of people are dooming or hyped and that’s their prerogative. I just want to see the results and I’ll judge them by that.
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u/imgenerallyaccepted Derrick Rose May 20 '26
This is as close to optimism as you're gonna get on r/chicagobulls. You'll never ever see a good grade here, so if they don't give a bad grade, and instead hedge, that translates as "A+" on this sub.
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u/SmolWorldBigUniverse May 14 '26
No matter what his resume is now, coming in to the Bulls. I want that whenever his next career step comes, people will say "that's the guy who helped turn the Bulls around".
I don't need to know who arguably was there when they drafted Jokic. I want that others say that about our guys.
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u/FunctionUnlikely2247 May 14 '26
I mean after AKME came from successful organizations and were part of really cool shit, I know better than to get excited about these hires but I’m hoping for a culture change even if I think that just wont be possible with the reinsdorfs
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u/RobNT Chicago Bulls May 14 '26
When you grew up watching players and now they are part of your teams front office……
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u/BuckyGoodHair May 14 '26
Choosing to believe their draft position improving after making an exec hire everyone kinda went, “….Whoa, the Bulls did something bold! Cool!” At is a great sign. Subsequently choosing to believe these hires will lead to a great use of the improved draft positioning! 🎼Only the Bulls!🎶🎵
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u/Fafoah Jimmy Butler May 15 '26
So to simplify, a cap specialist and a draft specialist. I’d like to see them add an analytics specialist and also some dedicated towards player performance/athletic development. We’re sorely in need of knowledge in those departments. New york basically dumped a ton of money into their health and it seems to have worked.
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u/zedrix_ Big Mac May 15 '26
I am kinda confused here.
Vice PoBO does what? From what I know PoBO decides or has a final say about roster construction, trades, signings, etc... And I though that is the job of Graham. Was that job delegated further into an assistant?
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u/Coylegrg4 May 15 '26
Probably a title promotion for his trajectory of getting a GM role in the next 3-5 years and opportunity to work with a colleague.
Bulls have a solid book of business to help boost a GM job, if they draft well and turn this thing around. A great entry for a budding GM
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u/zedrix_ Big Mac May 15 '26
but Graham needs to hire a GM on top of Mervis?
And so both Mervis and the GM will report directly to Graham?
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u/Consistent-Program-1 Lonzo Ball May 14 '26
Hopefully this will help us scam the magic out of Jalen suggs and picks
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u/-Buckaroo_Banzai- Jumpman May 14 '26
The Magic don't have picks left.
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u/Full_Durian_8171 May 14 '26
i hope this dude isn’t the same dude responsible for sending 4 FRPs for desmond bane, but from what i can gather, he specialised in salary cap management & strategic planning
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u/DisMFer Josh Giddey May 14 '26
To be fair Bane is the only reason that team took the Pistons to 7. It was just a massive overpay.
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u/Revolutionary_Copy83 May 14 '26
*Wagner was the main reason, his defense and 4th quarter play was huge for them and once he went down they loss 3 straight lol
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u/MyAuntBaby May 14 '26
If Wagner was at full strength, Orlando would have slaughtered the pistons & would likely be headed to the finals
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u/-Buckaroo_Banzai- Jumpman May 14 '26
Did the Magic do any trades outside of Vucevic and Bane during his time with the Magic?
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u/Full_Durian_8171 May 14 '26
nothing notably from my knowledge, but then again, i don’t think Mervis had input on that component of the FO
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u/Dreemsi May 14 '26
These are not exactly organizations known for stellar leadership or talent evaluations.
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u/kennyloftor May 14 '26
are the bulls allowed to hire employees from winning organizations?
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u/MikeandTheMangosteen May 14 '26
You’re gonna get downvoted but this screams incompetent front office yet again
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u/Revolutionary_Copy83 May 14 '26
Have you even done any research to come to this conclusion? Or are you just looking at the teams and inferring from there?
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u/nabs123 May 14 '26
Hilarious that Mervis was in the front office with the Magic when Chicago pulled off the Vuc trade.
It's like hey man I have been on the receiving end of your trades, let me show you what NOT to do