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. With a clear view of the basketball courts below, they have a daily reminder of the team they have meticulously constructed.
Changing the Guard
Each office, equipped with a sliding glass door that opens to an indoor balcony, allows them to watch and observe a new vision taking shape. This vision comes in the wake of yet another disappointing season. For the second consecutive year, the Bulls had been eliminated on the road by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. Missing the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years and the third time under Karnisovas' four-year tenure, tough decisions were inevitable.
In a reflective and resolute press conference, Karnisovas declared, "I take full responsibility." In the weeks that followed, the front office didn't just talk about change—they enacted it. The Bulls let DeMar DeRozan seek a new home in free agency, traded away Alex Caruso, and allowed Andre Drummond to leave. It was an era-ending move, but necessary for the rebuild.
A Shift to Youth
In place of seasoned veterans, the Bulls brought in younger talent: Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith. This transition was not just a change in personnel but a shift in philosophy. "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," said Eversley.
It was a bold strategy, one that prioritized potential over immediate returns. Coby White was a standout, finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, signifying a bright spot amid the upheaval.
Breaking Tradition
For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Bulls held their training camp outside of Chicago, gathering at Belmont University in Nashville. It was a move that embodied the fresh start the organization was striving for. Despite a 24-27 record at the trade deadline, the Bulls were steadfast in their commitment to this new direction. They prioritized making the play-in tournament for the second straight season, holding onto key players like Drummond and Caruso despite the temptation to shed veteran contracts.
A Fond Farewell and New Beginnings
Throughout the season, DeRozan maintained that he wanted to stay in Chicago, a testament to the bond he had formed with the city and the team. However, 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."
DeRozan eventually landed with the Kings, signing a new three-year, $74 million contract in a sign-and-trade deal facilitated by the Bulls. In his farewell, DeRozan expressed his gratitude, 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."
Injury Setbacks and Coaching Overhaul
The Bulls also dealt with significant challenges, including Zach LaVine's season-ending surgery in February. Although fully recovered now, his absence was felt. Eversley remarked, "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."
LaVine's relationship with coach Billy Donovan has had its rocky moments, with reports of clashes in recent years. Internal dynamics were shaken further as Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departed from their coaching roles, making way for Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig.
Conclusion
With a top-10 protected 2025 first-round draft pick owed to the Spurs, the Bulls find themselves in a delicate balancing act of building for the future while striving for immediate success. Eversley stated, "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."
The upcoming season will be a critical one for the Bulls, as the team aims to transform their youthful potential into lasting success on the court.