At the head of a row of cubicles overlooking the basketball courts below sit the offices of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, the Chicago Bulls' vice president of basketball operations and general manager, respectively. Each office features a sliding glass door that opens up to an indoor balcony, granting them a commanding view of the team they have constructed.
The Bulls are at a pivotal point after a second consecutive season 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 in Karnisovas' four-year tenure. In a press conference, Karnisovas declared he took "full responsibility."
A Vision for Change
Karnisovas began soliciting ideas from other members of the front office, coaches, and players on executing a new vision. It was clear significant changes were necessary. The Bulls let DeMar DeRozan find another home in free agency, traded away Alex Caruso, and allowed Andre Drummond to walk. In their place, the Bulls infused youth into the roster by bringing in Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith.
"We've gone young," Eversley said. "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."
Player Movements and New Opportunities
The decision to part ways with key veterans wasn't made lightly. DeRozan, in a heartfelt farewell, expressed, "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." Eversley added, "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."
The organization also saw substantial changes in the coaching staff. Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departed, making way for Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. This shake-up indicates a commitment to a fresh strategic direction.
Odds and Ends
Coby White's remarkable season saw him finish second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, showcasing his growth and potential. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Bulls held training camp outside of Chicago, choosing Belmont University's campus in Nashville, a move that signifies the lengths the organization is willing to go to reset its foundation.
Injury woes also marred the previous season, with Zach LaVine undergoing season-ending surgery in February. However, the outlook is bright as LaVine has fully recovered and is ready to start the season on time. His relationship with coach Billy Donovan has had its tumultuous moments, but the hope is for a harmonious and productive season ahead. "The most unfortunate situation for Zach last year was that he got hurt. When he came back, he was pretty good and the team was pretty good. Small sample size, but we can build off that," Eversley noted. "We're looking forward to having him come back to training camp and joining the team."
The Bulls were 24-27 at the trade deadline, which presented a crossroads: push to make the play-in tournament or commit to a rebuild by trading away their veteran talent. Ultimately, they prioritized making a play-in tournament appearance for the second consecutive season. The team held onto Drummond and Caruso before eventually trading Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Giddey, further emphasizing their youthful direction.
Planning for the Future
The Bulls are also mindful of their future assets; they owe their 2025 first-round draft pick to the San Antonio Spurs, but it is top-10 protected. This stipulation ensures the team retains a valuable rebuilding asset should they find themselves near the bottom of the standings.
"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," Eversley concluded. "Now it's time to put in the work and see if some of those changes are going to be fruitful or not."
While the journey ahead remains uncertain, the Bulls are clearly charting a new course, one that holds the promise of brighter days through the nurturing of young talent and a revamped approach to team building. With new faces both on the court and on the sidelines, the Bulls are poised for a season of transformation and discovery.