At the head of the Chicago Bulls' front office, the strategy is shifting under the watchful eyes of Arturas Karnisovas, the vice president of basketball operations, and general manager Marc Eversley. Overlooking the basketball courts from their indoor balconies, the two executives are working to rebuild a team that has seen its share of challenges in recent years.
The Bulls, once a powerhouse in the NBA, have been struggling to find their footing. For the second consecutive season, they were eliminated on the road by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, marking another missed opportunity for the playoffs. This was the sixth time in the past seven years they failed to make the postseason, and the third time in Karnisovas' four-year tenure.
At a press conference, Karnisovas didn't shy away from responsibility, declaring he took "full responsibility" for the team's shortcomings. With this in mind, the Bulls' front office began to reshape the roster, favoring younger talents over their seasoned veterans. They allowed DeMar DeRozan to pursue free agency, traded away Alex Caruso, and let Andre Drummond walk.
Youth Movement
The Bulls' new direction brought in rising stars like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith, marking a significant shift toward youth. "We've gone young. We've got players who are experienced and give us a greater opportunity to have a longer runway for sustainability to winning meaningful games for a longer time," Eversley explained. This move aimed to build a foundation for future success, despite the immediate uncertainty it brought.
Before this overhaul, the team decided against offloading veteran talent last season, opting instead to pursue a spot in the play-in tournament. They ultimately retained Drummond and Caruso, with DeRozan expressing his desire to remain in Chicago. However, as the season progressed, it became clear the roster needed a more drastic shakeup.
Eversley reflected on DeRozan's departure, saying, "I love DeMar. He was terrific for our organization the last three years. But I don't think we were in a position to deliver what he was looking for going forward. He wants to win. He deserves an opportunity to win at a really high level." DeRozan's new three-year, $74 million contract with the Kings underscored the Bulls' commitment to a fresh start.
Rebuilding the Coaching Team
Changes weren't confined to the player roster. The coaching staff saw significant shifts as well, with the departures of Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff. To fill these gaps, the Bulls brought in Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig, hoping new leadership would complement their youthful roster.
The Bulls' training camp took an unconventional turn this year, relocating to Belmont University's campus in Nashville for the first time in nearly four decades. This change of scenery symbolized the new chapter the organization is entering.
Gains and Setbacks
On the court, Coby White emerged as a bright spot, finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Meanwhile, Zach LaVine, who had season-ending surgery in February, is fully recovered and ready to start the season. LaVine's return brings both hope and challenges, given his past clashes with coach Billy Donovan. Eversley remains optimistic about LaVine's comeback, stating, "When he came back, he was pretty good and the team was pretty good... we're looking forward to having him come back to training camp and joining the team."
The upcoming season is critical for Karnisovas' vision of the team. "We need to have a summer like 2021," he emphasized, recalling a time of significant positive changes for the franchise. Eversley echoed this sentiment, asserting that promised changes have been executed and it's now time to see if they will translate into success on the court.
The Bulls' journey ahead will be fraught with challenges, particularly with their 2025 first-round draft pick owed to the Spurs, albeit top-10 protected. Nevertheless, the team's commitment to its youthful revamp and the leadership's candid accountability provide a glimmer of hope for a franchise eager to reestablish its dominance.
As Chicago embarks on this new chapter, the words of a team source linger: "He's never won, he's done it his way the whole way and never won. If he's interested in winning, he'll do what's asked of him." The Bulls' future success will hinge on how well they can blend emerging talent with strategic execution, both on and off the court.