Full Breakdown
Bulls Reboot Front Office: Mervis and Law Join Bryson Graham’s Leadership
5/15/2026, 11:46:45 PM
Front Office Overhaul and Graham’s Vision
On May 14, 2026 the Chicago Bulls announced Stephen Mervis as senior vice president of basketball operations and Acie Law as vice president of player personnel. The hires follow Bryson Graham’s appointment as executive vice president on May 4, after Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley were dismissed. Graham’s introductory press conference emphasized a “collaborative structure” for the front office, a departure from the franchise’s traditional hierarchy. He also removed G-League GM Josh Malone and cited the No. 4 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft as a rebuild cornerstone.
Executives Stephen Mervis and Acie Law
Stephen Mervis spent 12 years with the Orlando Magic, advancing from intern to assistant general manager and senior vice president of basketball strategy. He is recognized for cap management, trade negotiations, and collective-bargaining, and made The Athletic’s 40-under-40 list in 2024. Acie Law, the 11th-overall pick in the 2007 draft, played four NBA seasons—including a brief Bulls stint in 2009-10—won two EuroLeague titles with Olympiacos (2012-13), and after retiring scouted for the Sacramento Kings, directed amateur scouting for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and served as director of player personnel for the Brooklyn Nets before joining Chicago. Mervis’s salary-cap discipline and Law’s scouting background align with Graham’s talent-evaluation focus, helping the Bulls leverage their No. 4 draft pick.
Official Announcement, Organizational Response, and Title Discrepancies
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Bulls’ official confirmation of the hires on May 14, 2026. The organization called Mervis a “seasoned salary-cap manager” and Law a “former player with deep scouting experience,” positioning both as pillars of Graham’s collaborative vision. The statement also referenced the recent removal of G-League GM Josh Malone and the intent to leverage the No. 4 draft slot. Media outlets differ on Law’s title—most cite vice president of player personnel, while some list director of player personnel—leaving his exact duties unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
"Asked around about Mervis and here’s what I heard. -Extremely smart executive -Strong in trade negotiations and general strategy -Well-connected with other execs throughout the league Seems like a great hire for the Bulls." — Steph Noh, Sporting News
"Mervis is deeply connected around the league, and should be able to help with other hires. I’ve also heard he’s fantastic with cap management and negotiation. Great addition to the Bulls front office by Bryson Graham." — Ricky O’Donnell, SB Nation
"Mervis spent 12 years rising in the Magic front office, specializing in strategy and player evaluation." — Shams Charania, ESPN
"Stephen Mervis, who’s joining Bryson Graham as a top lieutenant in Chicago, is one of the more regarded cap minds in the NBA… and been a backbone of the annual Tulane Pro Basketball Negotiation Competition." — Jake Fischer, The Stein Line
Outlook
The Bulls will enter the 2026 NBA Draft with the No. 4 pick, a valuable asset for the rebuilding roster. The front office’s next steps include evaluating draft options and continuing staff restructuring as the season approaches.
