Although the Bulls‘ ownership group and former executive VP of basketball operations John Paxson have voiced their support for head coach Jim Boylen, they’ve also made it clear to the newly-hired executives in the front office that they’ll allow Boylen’s dismissal if Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley want to go in that direction, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
Cowley, who wrote earlier this month that Karnisovas and Eversley are likely leaning toward making a coaching change, notes that the Bulls will have a clearer sense of a timeline for that decision once the NBA makes an announcement on the fate of the 2019/20 season. If the team doesn’t resume play, the front office could be in position to make a call on Boylen sooner rather than later.
Here’s more on the Bulls:
- While Boylen’s fate remains up in the air, the Bulls have exercised their 2020/21 option on assistant coach Nate Loenser, reports K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. As Johnson explains, Loenser – whose contract is the only one that required an immediate decision – is well-respected by players and has established a strong reputation for player development.
- The Bulls aren’t retaining longtime trainer Jeff Tanaka, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Tanaka has been the club’s head trainer since 2014 and was an assistant trainer before that, dating back to 2008. With his contract up, Arturas Karnisovas and the new-look front office decided to go in another direction and intend to bring in someone of their own choosing, per Cowley.
- The Bulls should be well-prepared for the 2020 draft, according to Cowley, who points out that newly-hired executives Karnisovas, Marc Eversley, Pat Connelly, and J.J. Polk will bring with them intel from three separate franchises. Throw in the research the Bulls’ existing scouts have done and there should be no shortage of information on this year’s prospects as the team sets its draft board.
It was also indicated that Tanaka was let go on the advice of Boylen(?). Why a coach on thin ice would be allowed to make hire/fire decisions is beyond me, but par for the course for this franchise.
Also seems cruel to let Boylen swing in the breeze like this. I cannot imagine any circumstance in which he is the coach next year, new GMs want to live or die with their own people.
Where did you see or read that Boylen had a hand in the decision to not pick up Tanaka’s option for next year?
blogabull.com
link to blogabull.com
Why do you think it’s “cruel” to Boylen? I’m sure the virus is driving that decision. It’s not like he’s going to be a HC again. Plus he gets paid. He’s a barnacle that fails up.
Even if he is contractually obligated for another 2 years, it is still not comfortable for anyone to not know their status, especially when it is being discussed in the media. I think there is 0% chance he remains next season, so probably better to just say thanks for your time and let him go make other plans.
I’m I was told there would be a new coach . – Office Space
Bulls have some young talent. They have another solid choice in draft this yr. Don’t watch them so can’t really what their issues are. But It seems they need a vision. A real coach should help. Few times I watch. Their chemistry is not really there. Need true leadership. NBA likes to follow formulas, sports in general. Not everyone can be Warriors. Best way to get leadership and true offense. Is with a Real PG. A real PG is still the best way and quickest way to real Offense. This draft is deep in PGs
Bulls do have some young talent, but moving some of it may be best for the team. Lavine has proven to be a box score stuffer, but hasn’t proved he can win. His contract is reasonable enough that the Bulls should be able to get something for him. Lauri should be considered a potential mover as well. His shooting started to come around, and he may have more value now than he ever will.
You really think the warriors had a formula when they drafted steph and klay? Did the raptors have a formula when they traded for a finals MVP Kawhi Leonard? “Formulas” don’t work and theirs too many people involved to have a clear idea what a “formula” is. The bulls should take a wing, since lavine, Dunn, Satoransky, and coby white all play PG. In time maybe a couple will gel and the bulls offload a couple in 2021
Sorry Greg, meant that as a reply to Knickerbocker
Who doesn’t know Boylen is gone?
Boylen
Agreed lol
The Bulls have players I would like the Cavs to go after. They should give it a go as is with a new coach, and their new FO, and see what happens
But if they send Harrison or Valentine to Cleveland, not complaining.
Wow, you can take Valentine. I hope Cleveland has some very good doctors.
Raptors won one. Got a lucky bounce. Warriors have been in finals 5 straight yrs. Andbeveryone is trying to play like them. How long you been a fan 2 yrs. Any team who has real success. Not a one yr wonder. Is usually emulated. Just the way it is. I’m not really a fan if that. You hear it all the time. A copy cat league.
Markkanen is someone you should build on. IMO he’s best young talent Bulls have. I would keep him. A 10 ast PG who runs team. Would to a lot Bulls team. LaVine you could probably move. He’s a lot like Wiggins. Like you said a stat stuffer. I don’t fault any player trying to get paid. But signing wrong guy. Can set you back yrs.
Markannen needs plays run through him. He is suffering from the same treatment Mrotic got, being used simply as a spacer/corner shooter. I agree he, like Mrotic, has handles and other skills. I think Lavine is best suited as a 6th man / instant offense guy.
Coby White might be able to play pg, he has pretty good court vision, but needs experience, and Satoransky is a good pg as well, but neither of them can really play defense, and Sato only rarely gets it in his head to be aggressive as a scorer.
Carter maxes out as something like Taj Gibson, which isn’t nothing. The rest of the roster should be competing for minutes at the end of the bench – except for overpaid Otto Porter, who if he could stay healthy is the kind of wing they need. Find a clone of Porter in the draft, keep picking up veterans and new picks, maybe they are competitive in 2022.
But the key is they need a coach who can best utilize the skills of the players they have, and has some sense of rotations other than “offense” and “defense” lineups.