While there has been skepticism that Bulls executive VP of basketball operations John Paxson will relinquish all of his front office power when the team hires a new executive, a source tells Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times that Paxson is prepared to do whatever is best for the franchise.
As Cowley details, Paxson is “all for” stepping aside and moving into more of an advisory role in the new front office structure, which is what has been rumored in recent weeks.
However, the veteran Bulls executive is willing to go even further than that, according to Cowley, who hears that Paxson would step down from the organization entirely if ownership and management felt that was in the team’s best interests amidst the latest rebuild.
Cowley’s source “insists” that Paxson is prepared for either scenario and that he’s not simply saying what he thinks everyone wants to hear. Still, the timing of the report is interesting. The Bulls haven’t had a ton of luck securing interviews with their first wave of candidates — Pacers GM Chad Buchanan and Heat assistant GM Adam Simon will remain with their current teams, and it sounds like Raptors GM Bobby Webster likely will too.
It’s possible that some of those candidates – hearing that Paxson would remain in a prominent role – were skeptical that they’d truly have “full authority” on basketball decisions in Chicago’s front office. The latest rumblings out of Chicago may be intended to show other candidates that they won’t be reporting to Paxson.
It’s still hard to imagine team owner Jerry Reinsdorf – a longtime Paxson backer – asking him to leave the organization altogether, but K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago stresses that Paxson is willing to “take as small a role as the new hire wants.”
For what it’s worth, Cowley notes in a separate report that Paxson didn’t participate in Monday’s interview with Jazz GM Justin Zanik, and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said in Monday’s tweet that Zanik was interviewing for the “executive VP of basketball operations” job, which is Paxson’s current title.
He can sell popcorn at the concession stands.
Reinsdorf doesn’t fire anyone. So excuse me for not buying it.
We are all asking you John Paxon please step down. Thank you for contributions, its been time for awhile now.
This has always been a strange question asked by reporters to executives on the hot seat. Of course Paxson would step aside if asked. He’s have no choice. Ownership doesn’t need his permission to demote or terminate him.
Bulls are looking for a sock-puppet/fall guy, again, just like when they hired the last 2 coaches.
Boylen, Paxson, and Gar wouldn’t get a job on any other team. Bulls are dumpster fire. They are still hoping to keep all three employed! They don’t seem to get the reality of the situation. Dumpster fire.
Would be hilarious if it went like this.
Reporter: Would you be willing to step down if asked?
Paxson: Yes
Reporter: Follow-up. I have a petition requesting that you step down, with 2 Million Illinois resident’s signatures. We haven’t taken it nationwide yet.