At the helm of the Chicago Bulls' front office, Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley have taken strategic positions overlooking the team's basketball courts, metaphorically and literally. As vice president of basketball operations and general manager respectively, their offices, complete with sliding glass doors opening onto indoor balconies, allow them to observe the team they have meticulously assembled. Yet, despite their vigilance and efforts, the Bulls have faced significant challenges.
After a second consecutive season of being eliminated on the road by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, the Bulls found themselves missing the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years. In a press conference, Karnisovas did not shy away from accountability, declaring, “I took full responsibility.” This statement underpinned a series of bold moves aimed at rejuvenating the team with an eye on the future.
Revamping the Roster
Part of this new vision involved letting go key veteran players. DeMar DeRozan found a new home in free agency, Alex Caruso was traded, and Andre Drummond was allowed to walk away. The strategy was clear: replace players in their 30s with younger talent in their 20s. The Bulls brought in Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith to infuse the team with energy and potential longevity.
Marc Eversley articulated the philosophy behind these changes: "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.”
DeRozan, whose contributions over three seasons had been significant, expressed his gratitude to the Bulls community in a heartfelt farewell, stating, “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 further elaborated on DeRozan's departure: "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."
Challenges and Opportunities
One of the more pressing challenges was ensuring Zach LaVine's full recovery from season-ending surgery in February. Eversley acknowledged the difficulties faced last season, noting, "The most unfortunate situation for Zach last year was that he got hurt. Coming out of camp, he wasn't right. Him going down early in the season proved that. When he came back, he was pretty good and the team was pretty good. Small sample size, but we can build off that. Simply put, we're looking forward to having him come back to training camp and joining the team."
However, LaVine's past clashes with coach Billy Donovan raised questions about the harmony within the team. A team source was candid: "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 Bulls’ coaching staff also saw significant changes. Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departed, with Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig stepping in to fill their roles. This transition came at a crucial time, as the team owed their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Spurs, albeit with a top-10 protection clause.
Building Toward the Future
Not all the changes were about player and coach swaps. For the first time in nearly 40 years, the Bulls held their training camp outside of Chicago, opting instead for the campus of Belmont University in Nashville. This move signaled a new direction and a fresh start under the tutelage of the revamped coaching staff.
The season saw a glimmer of hope with Coby White finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, reinforcing the potential within the younger roster. Despite being 24-27 at the trade deadline, the Bulls chose to focus on making the play-in tournament for the second consecutive season rather than offloading their veteran talent, a decision that underpins the balance between immediate competitiveness and future foresight.
Eversley summarized the essence of their strategy: "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. Now it's time to put in the work and see if some of those changes are going to be fruitful or not."
As the Chicago Bulls step into this new chapter, underpinned by a blend of youthful vigor and experienced guidance, all eyes will be on whether these calculated risks will translate into newfound success and sustainability. With a renewed vision, the Bulls have their sights set firmly on transforming their narrative in the seasons to come.