At the helm of the Chicago Bulls front office, Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley have a unique vantage point overlooking the basketball courts where their team battles it out. Their offices, with sliding glass doors that open to an indoor balcony, symbolize a transparent approach to overseeing the franchise they aim to rejuvenate. With a dismal recent history of missing the playoffs six times in the last seven years and a second consecutive elimination by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, the pressure is palpable.
Karnisovas, the vice president of basketball operations, took "full responsibility" for the team's shortcomings in a press conference. Seizing the reins of change, he solicited ideas from across the organization, including input from coaches and players, to sculpt a new vision for the Bulls.
A Strategy of Youth
The offseason saw significant roster changes, most notably the departure of seasoned veterans. DeMar DeRozan was allowed to leave in free agency, and Alex Caruso was traded away. Andre Drummond was also let go, signaling a shift in focus. The Bulls chose to replace their veteran core with youthful talent, bringing in Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith—all in their twenties.
Marc Eversley, the team's general manager, articulated the rationale succinctly: "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 also spoke candidly about DeRozan's move to the Kings in a sign-and-trade deal, which granted DeRozan a new three-year, $74 million contract. "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. And arguably, we're not in that situation right now," Eversley said with a tone of both regret and optimism.
Building on Promising Foundations
While the team is focused on the future, some bright spots from the past season provide a foundation to build upon. Coby White finished second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, reflecting both his individual progress and the coaching staff's ability to nurture talent. The Bulls also made a significant change by conducting their first training camp outside of Chicago in nearly 40 years, opting for the serene environs of Belmont University in Nashville.
Zach LaVine, a cornerstone of the franchise, underwent season-ending surgery in February but is now fully recovered and ready for the new season. His return is keenly anticipated, despite past friction with head coach Billy Donovan. Marc Eversley highlighted LaVine’s importance, emphasizing, "The most unfortunate situation for Zach last year was that he got hurt. Coming out of camp, he wasn't right. Him going down early in the season proved that... Simply put, we're looking forward to having him come back to training camp and joining the team."
Coaching Carousel
Significant changes have also been made to the coaching staff. Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departed, making way for Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. These moves signal a strategic pivot, reflecting Karnisovas' and Eversley's commitment to restructuring at all levels. "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," said Eversley, confident that these adjustments will yield dividends.
Prioritizing the Future
The Bulls' strategic shift towards youth and development is underscored by their top-10 protected 2025 first-round draft pick, owed to the Spurs. This move further indicates a focus on long-term growth rather than immediate returns. Karnisovas summed up the current ethos succinctly: "We need to have a summer like 2021," pointing to the kind of transformative offseason the team aims to replicate.
The Bulls remain a team in transition, balancing the immediate goal of making the play-in tournament with a broader vision of sustained success. As the new season looms, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if these changes herald a new era of competitiveness and success for the Chicago Bulls.