New Vision, New Faces: Chicago Bulls Recharge for Upcoming Season
AT THE HEAD of the Chicago Bulls' operations, behind a row of executive cubicles, sit the offices of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley. From their elevated perches, with glass doors opening to indoor balconies, the duo overlooks the basketball courts where they hope to script a new chapter for the storied franchise.
Karnisovas, the vice president of basketball operations, and general manager Eversley have been operating with a clear vision for some time now. However, translating that vision into on-court success has proven elusive. With the Bulls missing the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years—and for the third time during Karnisovas' four-year tenure—the call for a fresh approach proclaimed louder than ever. During a press conference, Karnisovas shouldered the burden, declaring that he took "full responsibility" for the team's struggles.
That introspection has led to sweeping changes this offseason. "We need to have a summer like 2021," noted Karnisovas, emphasizing the urgency of their mission. True to their word, the Bulls let seasoned veterans like DeMar DeRozan explore free agency, traded away defensive stalwart Alex Caruso, and allowed Andre Drummond to walk. In their stead, younger talents such as Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith were brought into the fold. "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," explained Eversley.
Though the decision to let go of veterans wasn't easy, Eversley offered a heartfelt note on DeRozan’s departure: "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." He 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."
This season, the Bulls also embarked on a unique endeavor, holding training camp outside Chicago for the first time in nearly four decades. The team gathered on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, signaling a bold new direction in their preparatory activities.
Despite a 24-27 season at the trade deadline, the Bulls prioritized making the play-in tournament for the second consecutive year rather than unloading their veteran talent. Drummond and Caruso initially stayed on the roster, with DeRozan openly expressing his desire to remain in Chicago. However, the dynamics shifted as the Bulls charted a new course. Caruso was ultimately traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Giddey, while DeRozan joined the Kings in a sign-and-trade deal, securing a new three-year, $74 million contract.
Among the remaining core, all eyes are on Zach LaVine, who underwent season-ending surgery in February but has since fully recovered. Eversley conveyed optimism, stating, "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 tenure has not been without friction, particularly with head coach Billy Donovan. "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," a team insider commented.
The coaching staff also saw a substantial makeover, with Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departing, replaced by Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. These changes reflect a strategic pivot, aiming for a fresh energy and perspective on the sidelines.
As the Bulls look to keep their 2025 first-round draft pick—top-10 protected and owed to the Spurs—the organization sets its sight on assembling a competitive team. "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," Eversley concluded.
The coming season promises an intriguing journey for the Chicago Bulls. Whether their gambles will pay off remains to be seen, but the commitment to a new direction is unmistakable.