AT THE HEAD of a row of cubicles sits the offices of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, the Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball operations and general manager, respectively, which overlook the basketball courts below. Each office features a sliding glass door that opens up to an indoor balcony from which they can watch and observe the team they have constructed. This vantage point symbolizes the transparent yet closed-door nature of their roles as they look to reinvigorate a storied franchise spinning its wheels in recent seasons.
Rebuilding the Roster
For the second consecutive season, the Bulls had been 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 Arturas Karnisovas' four-year tenure. Taking "full responsibility" for the team's struggles, Karnisovas began soliciting ideas from other members of the front office, coaches, and players to execute a new vision.
The decision to let DeMar DeRozan find another home in free agency, trade away Alex Caruso, and allow Andre Drummond to walk marked a significant pivot. In their place, the Bulls brought in younger talents like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith.
"We've gone young. 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," Marc Eversley explained.
The departures were not easy, particularly for DeRozan, who had become a fan favorite and a cornerstone of the team's offensive efforts. In a heartfelt farewell, DeRozan 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."
Strategic Moves and Setbacks
The trading away of Alex Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Giddey and later dealing DeRozan to the Kings in a sign-and-trade deal underscored the Bulls' strategy to start fresh. The Kings, in turn, awarded DeRozan a new three-year, $74 million contract. Eversley acknowledged the tough decision, stating, "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."
While the Bulls were 24-27 at the trade deadline, they prioritized making the play-in tournament for the second consecutive season instead of unloading their veteran talent. Despite early speculation, they held onto Drummond and Caruso, adhering to a dual approach of competitiveness and rebuilding.
Training Camp and Coaching Changes
For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Bulls held training camp outside of Chicago, gathering on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville. This change of scenery was perhaps a symbolic fresh start for the team and the organization.
The Bulls also overhauled their coaching staff, with Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departing and being replaced by Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. The new coaching lineup aligns with the team's refreshed roster and the renewed hope that a different approach would yield better results.
Injuries have also played a role in the Bulls' recent struggles. Zach LaVine had season-ending surgery in February but is now fully recovered and will be ready to start the season on time. However, there have been clashes between LaVine and coach Billy Donovan, with an unnamed team source commenting, "He's never won, he's done it his way the whole way and never won. If he's interested in winning, he'll do what's asked of him. And if he's motivated to not be here, one way is to come, be compliant and be who he is."
The Road Ahead
Even with their newfound direction, the Bulls face some challenges moving forward. The team owes its 2025 first-round draft pick to the Spurs, though it is top-10 protected. However, the sentiment within the organization remains hopeful.
"We've promised change and we think we've executed that," said Eversley. "I think the changes being made at all levels of the organization are positive ones. Now it's time to put in the work and see if some of those changes are going to be fruitful or not."
Ultimately, the Bulls' front office has expressed a desire to replicate the success of their 2021 off-season. As stated by Karnisovas, "We need to have a summer like 2021." The years ahead will reveal whether these changes are sufficient to break the cycle of frustration and lead the Bulls back to sustained playoff success.