Before talking about his plans for the Bulls‘ future, executive VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas addressed a couple rumors about himself at Thursday’s press conference, writes Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times.
First, Karnisovas said he has no interest in returning to the Nuggets to replace recently fired general manager Calvin Booth. He also emphasized that he considers his job with the Bulls to be safe because he still has a strong relationship with owners Jerry Reinsdorf and Michael Reinsdorf.
“We take pride, especially in this building, in everybody being on the same page,” Karnisovas said. “It’s very hard to accomplish, but that’s how it is in this building between the ownership, front office, coaching staff, performance staff, so they have always been very supportive of my decisions, my thoughts, about this direction.”
He added that the team achieved many of its goals coming into the season, such as changing its style of play, developing its young talent and keeping its first-round pick for 2025. He admitted that major changes are unlikely to happen this summer, but noted that the Bulls will have more financial flexibility in 2026.
“I’m asking fans for patience because we’re in the first year of that transition,” Karnisovas said. “I thought the way we finished the year showed some promise. It’s hard to win games in this league and to finish 15-5, yeah, it’s not a victory lap, but I think there are some positives.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- The trade speculation that surrounded Nikola Vucevic heading into the February deadline is likely to re-emerge this summer. After Wednesday’s play-in loss, the 34-year-old center talked about wanting to be with a team that can “win now” and make long playoff runs (Twitter video link from Chicago Sports Network).
- Lonzo Ball was never able to return from the sprained right wrist that kept him out of action since February 28, but he said it won’t require surgery, per K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter link). After missing two and a half seasons due to a knee injury, Ball said his knee “did better than expected” and he’s looking forward to a normal offseason without having to concentrate on rehab. “I went above the goals I set for myself (physically),” Ball added (Twitter link).
- Bulls director of player development Peter Patton won’t be returning to the team next season, Johnson confirms (via Twitter). According to Cowley, the news of Patton’s exit left some players on the roster “beyond pissed,” as one told the Sun-Times in a text message.
- Within the same Sun-Times story, Cowley says there’s a feeling in the organization that while Karnisovas often asks for player input before making decisions, he doesn’t always take those opinions into account. “They have to fit his,” one source explained to Cowley.
- Given that the Bulls have only won a single playoff game since Karnisovas and Billy Donovan joined the organization in 2020, Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune wonders why the team’s head of basketball operations and head coach aren’t on hotter seats.
- ESPN’s Bobby Marks previews the Bulls’ offseason in an Insider-only story, as well as in a YouTube video. Working out a new contract with restricted free agent Josh Giddey and determining what to do with veterans on expiring contracts are among the top summer priorities in Chicago, as Marks details.
Luke Adams contributed to this story.
Bulls 1 playoff win in half a decade under these two idiots and the guy is out here asking for patience from the fans hahaha
Saw the entire AK presser and here is what I read from it.
1) “Improve our roster” was used 7 times at least.
2) Will keep Donovan for another year, if not two.
3) Refused to acknowledge tanking is the way to go.
4) Coby will get $35M AAV no matter what.
5) Has zero expectations of a title team but wants to be competitive in the eastern conference.
In retrospect, nothing will get done. Jerry supports AK and Donovan. We will have another few years of misery before they reset the timeline and Buzelis will get a max.
Happy days being a Chicago Bulls fan!
Real Q-
Would you rather have this Bulls team or Utah or Brooklyns moving forward as they stand ?
Im always a bird in hand fella so Id say Bulls but maybe Im conditioned as a Lakers fan to never want to tank….
Interesting question. I’d rather have BKN,
In order of preference for the 3 teams
1. BKN has the best young talent and the best draft picks (based on likely position of the FRP’s they’ve received by trade). They can compete for a play-in spot next season
2. CHI has the 2nd best talent (Giddey, Buzelis, Coby) and the 3rd best draft picks. Can compete for a play-in next season as the young players develop.
3. UTA has the worst young talent (only Kessler and Collier have value, and it’s not much) and the 2nd best set of draft picks (lots of FRP’s, but MIN and CLE picks will be at bottom of first round. UTA will be tanking next year and, maybe, the year after.
This was the year to tank. Even a top ten pick could strike gold. Bulls FO and coach have no plan. Now Coby and Josh are due money. They knew they had a top 10 protected pick. Sixers did it. Bulls should have also. Big mistake ……
Are you trying to win 50 games or win a championship? Bulls are in last place for either. Marks has built has decent team but destroyed it by being starstruck. Karnisovas tried building a competitive team and failed miserably. Danny built 2 separate championship teams in Boston, not easy to do in a city that doesn’t attract free agents. I’ll take the Jazz
Danny’s off to a slow start.
AK, Hoyer and Hawkins all took the same class in how to say 20,000 words without actually making a point. Eberlose took that class too but now he’s gone thank God. Poles, Johnson and Davidson and so far Getz at least say something relevant when they speak. The rest is all a bunch of meaningless drivel.
Yes AK, so glad you are all on the same page. Too bad it’s the wrong page. The page in the chapter about losing and assuring that the team never improves by making dumb moves. Now you will sign Giddey and White to large extensions. Very good players but NOT max players. Team will be lucky to make the in play in for years to come. Stuck in basketball purgatory.
You’re right. White and Giddey are good players but not worth massive contracts. White and Giddey are just solid role players. Bulls already have two untradeable players due to their contracts Patrick Williams and Jevon Carter.
AK and Monte McNair were both hired in 2020. Since then, CHI and SAC have identical 195-205 records in 5 reg szns. Each only had a single quick first round exit to show for it .
And yet – only one of them still has their job !! Hm….
Will most likely be a very quiet next 13 months for Chi which is going to upset the natives. Despite that, the goal should be to climb a notch up internally and be an intriguing location come Summer 26. I think its very much possible
They have the full Mle this summer but not too many good options in a putrid free agent class. Perhaps OG Bobby P or Yabuselle on a 3/30 works but could see them holding it for in season trades if nothing pops up. which I think is very likely
* Taking Toppin off Indy for the MLE cheap to help their ledger would be my first call if avail