At the helm of Chicago Bulls' strategic decisions are Vice President of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas and General Manager Marc Eversley, whose offices overlook the team's practice courts. A symbol of their hands-on approach, the glass doors open to an indoor balcony allowing them to observe firsthand the progress of the team they have meticulously constructed. The task ahead is nothing short of monumental: rejuvenate a franchise that has missed the playoffs for six of the past seven seasons, including the last two eliminations in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament at the hands of the Miami Heat.
Karnisovas, in a display of accountability, declared in a press conference that he took "full responsibility" for the team's recent struggles. Determined to steer the Bulls back to their former glory, he laid out a comprehensive plan of action, soliciting ideas from coaches, players, and other members of the front office. The key message was clear: change was necessary.
That change began with the roster. The Bulls allowed veteran star DeMar DeRozan to find a new team in free agency, despite his public assurance that he wanted to stay in Chicago. "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," DeRozan expressed in his heartfelt farewell. Marc Eversley captured the sentiment of the organization saying, "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."
Alongside DeRozan’s departure, the Bulls traded away Alex Caruso and let Andre Drummond leave, paving the way for younger talent. The replacements—Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith—represent a strategic pivot toward youth and longevity. "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," Eversley explained.
Notably, despite the tumult and rebuilding process, Coby White emerged as a beacon of progress, finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award. Additionally, Zach LaVine, who underwent season-ending surgery in February, has fully recovered and is set to begin the new season on time. However, his recent past has been fraught with clashes with coach Billy Donovan, a challenge the front office will need to navigate. "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," Eversley noted optimistically.
The coaching staff also saw significant changes. Departures included Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff, with Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig stepping in as replacements. These appointments are part of a broader overhaul, aligning the coaching philosophy with the newfound youthful dynamism of the roster.
After opting not to unload veteran talent at the trade deadline, the Bulls shifted their focus to making it to the play-in tournament for the second consecutive season. Their mid-season record of 24-27 indicated the challenges ahead, but also the recalibration needed to leverage their new strategy.
The Bulls’ commitment to a fresh start was evident in their decision to hold training camp outside Chicago for the first time in nearly four decades, gathering instead at Belmont University in Nashville. This move symbolized a break from the past and the beginning of a new chapter. As Karnisovas aimed for strategic modifications, he shared a glimmer of hope stating, "We need to have a summer like 2021."
The road to rebuilding is long and fraught with challenges, but the Bulls' leadership remains steadfast. "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 asserted. The coming season will be a testament to whether these strategic changes can reignite the Bulls’ long-dormant flame and return them to the heights of NBA success.