At the head of a row of cubicles in the Chicago Bulls' office is a duo determined to reshape the team's future: Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas and General Manager Marc Eversley. Their offices, overlooking the basketball courts below, are strategically positioned for quick, unobstructed observations of the team they are responsible for building.
From these indoor balconies, they have been scrutinizing the squad. Karnisovas, in particular, has been proactive in seeking input from staff, coaches, and players on implementing a rejuvenated vision for the Bulls—a vision necessitated by the frustration of being eliminated by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament for the second consecutive season. The Bulls missed the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years and the third time since Karnisovas took the reins four years ago.
In a spirited press conference, Karnisovas didn't shy away from accountability, declaring he took "full responsibility" for the Bulls' struggles. Fundamental changes followed. High-profile players in their 30s like DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond were replaced with youthful talents such as Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith.
Reflecting on these adjustments, Eversley explained, "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."
Despite these moves, the transitions weren't entirely without sentiment. DeRozan, who maintained he wished to stay in Chicago, found a new home via a sign-and-trade with the Kings. He expressed genuine 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. It gave me a drive every night to return the feeling." Eversley, understanding the veteran's desire for a championship, added, "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."
Chicago's roster was not the only aspect of the organization seeing change. The coaching staff also experienced turnover. Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff were replaced with new leadership in Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. These moves are part of what Eversley referred to as promised changes aimed at revitalizing the team.
In an effort to rejuvenate the squad, the Bulls took a page out of their storied history and held their training camp outside of Chicago for the first time in nearly 40 years, opting for the campus of Belmont University in Nashville. This fresh setting was a symbolic break from the past and a hopeful step towards a new era of competitiveness.
The season's narrative was also punctuated by individual accolades and setbacks. Coby White finished second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, a bright spot in a challenging year. Conversely, star player Zach LaVine underwent season-ending surgery in February, yet is on track for a full recovery. LaVine's fluctuating relationship with coach Billy Donovan has been a subplot within the team’s dynamics, with insiders noting, "He's never won, he's done it his way the whole way and never won."
As the trade deadline approached, the Bulls made the calculated decision to hold onto valuable veteran contributors like Drummond and Caruso, prioritizing another shot at the play-in tournament over the potential turmoil of mid-season trades. Their strategy, however, did eventually see the departure of Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Giddey.
Looking ahead, the Bulls still face challenges. They owe their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Spurs, though it remains top-10 protected. As Eversley concisely put it, "We've promised change and we think we've executed that. Now it's time to put in the work and see if some of those changes are going to be fruitful or not."
With a renewed focus on youth and ongoing efforts to establish a winning culture, the Bulls are poised to navigate the upcoming season with a blend of optimism and realism. The work of Karnisovas and Eversley, watched closely from their glass-encased offices, will determine if this storied franchise can reclaim its former glory.