AT THE HEAD of a row of cubicles sits the offices of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, the Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball operations and general manager, respectively. Their offices overlook the basketball courts below, each featuring a sliding glass door that opens to an indoor balcony, allowing them to watch and observe the team they have constructed.
Karnisovas has been actively soliciting ideas from other members of the front office, coaches, and players on how to execute a new vision for the Bulls. Missing the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years and the third time in Karnisovas' four-year tenure, brought a level of introspection and responsibility. In a press conference, Karnisovas emphasized, "I take full responsibility," illustrating the gravity of the Bulls' struggles.
Following another elimination by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, significant roster changes were inevitable. DeMar DeRozan found a new home in free agency, Alex Caruso was traded away, and Andre Drummond walked. The Bulls opted for youthful replacements, bringing in Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith.
New Faces, New Energy
The new acquisitions represent a shift towards a more youthful and vigorous lineup. Marc Eversley expressed optimism about the changes: "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." The overhaul reflected their commitment to building a sustainable winning culture.
In a heartfelt farewell, DeRozan said, "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." Despite his departure, the Bulls' organization held a deep appreciation for DeRozan's contributions, as Eversley noted, "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. As much as it hurt to let him go, I'm extremely happy for him."
A Plan for the Present and Future
The 2022-2023 season saw Coby White make significant strides, finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. However, the season's ups and downs were stark. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Bulls held training camp outside of Chicago, gathering on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville.
By the trade deadline, the Bulls were treading water with a 24-27 record. Prioritizing another play-in tournament appearance, they opted not to offload their veteran talent. They initially kept both Drummond and Caruso, despite the growing push for a younger team. DeRozan was consistently vocal about his desire to remain in Chicago, but ultimately, the Bulls traded Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Giddey. Additionally, DeRozan agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Kings, who offered him a three-year, $74 million contract.
Key Challenges Ahead
One of the pivotal aspects moving forward is the health and readiness of Zach LaVine. Having undergone season-ending surgery in February, LaVine is now fully recovered and ready for a fresh start. Eversley was cautiously optimistic, saying, "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. When he came back, he was pretty good and the team was pretty good. Small sample size, but we can build off that."
Behind the scenes, the coaching staff also saw significant changes. Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departed from their roles, replaced by Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. These changes reflect the organization's commitment to restructuring and rejuvenating both the player's roster and the coaching team.
Building Towards the Future
As the Bulls look ahead, Eversley expressed confidence in the direction they are heading: "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." Part of this future planning includes owing their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Spurs, but with a top-10 protection.
The Bulls are endeavoring not just to return to the playoffs but to build a team capable of sustaining long-term success. This mix of young talent and strategic planning signifies a pivotal chapter in the franchise's history, aiming to rekindle the glory and competitiveness synonymous with Chicago basketball.