At the heart of the Chicago Bulls' front office, the offices of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley overlook the basketball courts. From their indoor balconies, they observe the team they have meticulously crafted. Recently, the duo embarked on a mission to steer the Bulls in a new direction, seeking ideas from coaches, players, and other members of the front office to execute a fresh vision.
A Season of Change
The Bulls have faced disappointment, missing the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. For the second consecutive season, they were eliminated on the road by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. In a press conference, Karnisovas took "full responsibility" for the team's shortcomings during his tenure.
Part of the new vision involved making significant roster changes. The Bulls decided to let DeMar DeRozan find a new team in free agency, traded Alex Caruso, and allowed Andre Drummond to depart. In their place, they brought in younger talent like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith. Marc Eversley summed up the strategy: “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.”
Farewells and New Beginnings
DeRozan, a significant presence in the locker room and on the court, was given a heartfelt farewell. His goodbye message encapsulated his feelings: "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 also reflected 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." The Bulls eventually traded Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Giddey and agreed to a sign-and-trade with the Kings, who secured DeRozan with a new three-year, $74 million contract.
A New Training Environment
In a surprising move, the Bulls held their training camp outside Chicago for the first time in nearly 40 years. Opting for the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, they aimed to reset and rejuvenate their approach. As the trade deadline approached, the Bulls found themselves at a record of 24-27. Unlike previous seasons, they prioritized making the play-in tournament and opted to keep their veterans, maintaining a competitive edge.
Restructuring the Team
Coby White, a standout for the Bulls, finished second in the voting for the NBA’s Most Improved Player award. The focus now shifts to Zach LaVine, who underwent season-ending surgery in February. Eversley commented on LaVine's situation: "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." Fully recovered, LaVine is expected to be ready for the season’s start, although his relationship with coach Billy Donovan has been contentious in the past.
Coaching Changes
The coaching staff also saw changes, with Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departing. They were replaced by Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. Organizational changes promise a new direction, as articulated by Eversley: "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."
Looking ahead, the Bulls owe their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Spurs, although it is top-10 protected, giving them some flexibility in their rebuilding phase. With Karnisovas and Eversley at the helm and a mix of new young talents and experienced players, the Bulls aim to revitalize their pursuit of success and renew their commitment to winning.