Speaking to reporters on Sunday in Las Vegas, Bulls president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas explained why the front office waited until this summer to shake up a roster that finished below .500 in each of the past two regular seasons.
“I think three years ago when we came up with our plan, our formula, that worked for a short period of time until we got into injuries. The reactions, the second year and then obviously, we waited a third year to see where we at,” Karnisovas said, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “Now, we’re kind of making these changes. You could argue it’s too late or early. But that’s where we are right now. We felt that we owed to that group to give them a chance to figure it out. And when we cannot figure it out, that’s when it’s up to us to have direction of the team and make changes. And that’s what happened.”
Those changes have included trading Alex Caruso for fourth-year guard Josh Giddey and letting DeMar DeRozan leave for Sacramento in a sign-and-trade deal. As Johnson relays, Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley both raved about DeRozan’s three years in Chicago, referring to him as a player who represented the team’s values and who was an “extension of (head coach) Billy (Donovan) on the court and off the court.”
While a trade involving Zach LaVine remains possible before the 2024/25 season begins, the Bulls’ top executives suggested on Sunday that they don’t want to make a bad deal to just get LaVine – who has three years left on his maximum-salary contract – off their books. Karnisovas spoke as if the team is preparing for the two-time All-Star to remain on the roster this fall, and Johnson says management believes injuries contributed to LaVine’s slow start last season.
“We expect Zach being fully healthy. And he is healthy. I think he can help this group next year. He’s been professional,” Karnisovas said. “Again, he’s healthy. We expect him to be with us at the start of training camp.”
Here’s more from around the Central:
- The Pistons‘ roster isn’t necessarily a finished product, but with 14 players on guaranteed standard contracts, it’s getting pretty close, writes James L. Edwards III of The Athletic. With that in mind, Edwards explores what the team’s depth chart for 2024/25 might look like, explaining why he’s penciling in Ausar Thompson over Simone Fontecchio as a starter at small forward.
- Bennedict Mathurin, whose 2023/24 season came to an early end due to shoulder surgery, has “almost been cleared for contact,” according to Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle (Twitter link via Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files). The expectation is that Mathurin will be ready to go for training camp this fall.
- The Pacers announced on Saturday that Jim Morris, the vice chairman of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, has died at the age of 81. “There are no words that would do justice to how consequential Jim’s life truly was,” Pacers governor Herb Simon said as part of a longer statement. In a statement of his own (Twitter link), NBA commissioner Adam Silver referred to Morris as “Indiana royalty.”
Smartest things I’ve heard out of the Bulls front office in 3 years. As a Bulls fan I say thank you. Now if LaVine wants out of town he has to play until somebody wants him. They can carry his pathetic salary as long as they keep going younger.
And some forget, before Ball was hurt they played very well. It wasn’t totally insane to ride it out, it just didn’t work out.
Exactly. As you say, AK had a plan. The plan began to fall apart when Ball went down. Two years ago, when LaVine came up for a new contract the Bulls were in a ‘darn if you do darn if you don’t’ situation. LaVine is a great offensive player. If healthy, it’s possible for LaVine to have a good season.
Last season, the Bulls weren’t a bad team, just an average team. Started the season terribly 5-14. After the terrible start, the Bulls 34-29 (54%).
Many teams would like to have LaVine. Volume athletic scorer. Sadly the inept bulls put themselves in this position.
So where are they and how come nobody wants him unless they can rob the Bulls who are already being robbed by LaVine? Your statement isw wrong and everybody knows it.
LaVine should stick with Bulls and be franchise’s No1 again rather than be unwanted No3 with some contender wannabe.Zach is healthy,in his prime,Lonzo is coming back,young core is more experienced now,Bulls will be fun to watch next season
If you think Lonzo’s coming back you live in Fantasy Land. They don’t want him back. He’s worth more as an injury exemption than as a player. They already traded for his replacement. Giddey. If he does somehow make it back they have an 18 million dollar trade exception from the DDR trade. He Gone! Bulls perfect world is they save 10 million on Ball with an injured player exemption and they use the trade exception to move Vujevic. Money problems solved. Makes LaVine’s 43 million easier to live with.
So you saying 10 mil IPE is worth more than healthy Ball on the court?They got Giddey as a starter,Ball will be coming from bench.And no need to use words like “live in fantasy world”,you stepping over the line
Healthy Ball? Healthy Ball? I just have to keep repeating it in my head because I don’t believe I’m hearing it. And yes 10 million is better than 20 million for him to do nothing. 10 is less than 20 and takes them 10 more below the Tax apron which will grow to 3o if they move Vujevic and 40 next year when Ball comes completely off even with LaVine making 43. So if he wants out he’ll shut up and play his way out of town so the Bulls don’t have to add crucial assets to get rid of him. If he’s going to try and be a jerk to force his way out they should just send him home and let him rot at home so he doesn’t infect the kids. Nobody needs that or him. Bulls are going to need every asset they have and more. Ball has been healthy for exactly 40 games as a Bull. It would have been nice if it worked out, But it’s time for reality to take it’s course. Sorry if it hurts your feelings dude. Or dudette. The odds against Ball even playing again are stacked against him. The odds of him being relevant for the Bulls are even bigger. I’d rather save the trade exception for a Vujevic deal and get some draft picks back than have to waste it to get rid of a guy who’s not relevant anymore for zero back. The Bulls made the wrong call giving LaVine the money over DDR. At least they’re finally admitting it. It’s refreshing.
You’re partially correct. Since there doesn’t seem to be a trade market for LaVine, LaVine and the Bulls should try to make it work. Would be in the best interest of both LaVine and the Bulls. Doubt Ball will be able to make a comeback.