At the forefront of the Chicago Bulls' executive suite, Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley have a unique vantage point. Overlooking the basketball courts, their offices serve as a symbolic bridge between management and the team on the floor. This setup epitomizes their hands-on approach to restructuring a franchise that has stumbled repeatedly in recent seasons.
Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls' vice president of basketball operations, has openly invited collaboration from his colleagues. Seeking input from front office members, coaches, and players, he aims to bring a fresh vision to the team. Yet, despite these efforts, the Bulls have found themselves on the wrong end of playoff race heartbreaks. For the second consecutive season, the Bulls were ousted on the road by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, marking another year without a playoff berth. This outcome means the Bulls have missed the playoffs six times in the last seven years and three times in Karnisovas' four-year tenure. In a candid press conference, Karnisovas took "full responsibility" for the team’s shortcomings.
The Bulls embarked on a significant roster overhaul in the aftermath of their struggles. They let veteran star DeMar DeRozan depart in free agency, traded Alex Caruso, and allowed Andre Drummond to leave. The focus shifted to youth, with the acquisitions of Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith.
Marc Eversley, the Bulls' general manager, elaborated on the team's new direction. "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," he said.
This youth movement was underscored by Coby White's impressive season, which earned him a second-place finish in the NBA's Most Improved Player voting. The Bulls also made a unique decision to hold training camp outside of Chicago for the first time in nearly 40 years, choosing Belmont University in Nashville as their location, further symbolizing their fresh start.
At the trade deadline, the Bulls held a 24-27 record. Instead of opting for a full teardown, they prioritized making another push for the play-in tournament. They retained both Drummond and Caruso, with the latter being a key piece in a subsequent trade. Caruso’s eventual move to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Giddey underscored the team's commitment to youth. Meanwhile, DeRozan secured a new chapter with a three-year, $74 million contract through a sign-and-trade deal with the Sacramento Kings. DeRozan expressed gratitude in his farewell, saying, "A thank you would be an understatement. The love, passion and joy you filled me with for three seasons was a dream."
Eversley had high praise for DeRozan's contributions but acknowledged the team's current limitations. "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 admitted. "He wants to win. He deserves an opportunity to win at a really high level. And arguably, we're not in that situation right now. As much as it hurt to let him go, I'm extremely happy for him."
Meanwhile, Zach LaVine, the team's all-star guard, who had season-ending surgery in February, has fully recovered and is ready to start the new season. LaVine has had a rocky relationship with coach Billy Donovan in recent years, a tension that remains to be resolved. An unnamed team source commented, "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. And if he's motivated to not be here, one way is to come, be compliant and be who he is."
In addition to player changes, the Bulls also revamped their coaching staff. Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departed, making way for Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. With these changes, the organization aims to foster a new culture and a winning environment. Eversley emphasized, "We've promised change and we think we've executed that. I think the changes being made at all levels of the organization are positive ones. Now it's time to put in the work and see if some of those changes are going to be fruitful or not."
One particular concern for the Bulls is their 2025 first-round draft pick owed to the Spurs, albeit with a top-10 protection. This adds another layer of complexity to the Bulls’ strategy moving forward, as they balance rebuilding with maintaining competitive aspirations.
As the Bulls prepare for a new season, the eyes of both management and fans will be watching keenly. The blend of youthful talent and revamped coaching is a bold step, but whether this gamble will pay off remains to be seen on the court.