At the head of a row of cubicles, Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, the Chicago Bulls' vice president of basketball operations and general manager respectively, have front-row seats to the unfolding saga of a team in transformation. Overlooking the basketball courts from their offices, they assess the strengths and weaknesses of the roster they meticulously constructed. Each office, featuring sliding glass doors that open to an indoor balcony, allows them to observe the execution of their vision firsthand.
For the second consecutive season, the Bulls faced disappointment, 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 Karnisovas’ tenure, he took "full responsibility" during a press conference. The summer of 2023 marked a pivotal shift for the franchise.
A New Direction
Karnisovas solicited ideas from other front office members, coaches, and players to chart a new course. The team let DeMar DeRozan explore free agency, traded away defensive stalwart Alex Caruso, and allowed veteran Andre Drummond to leave.
In their place, younger talents were brought in—Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith—signaling a commitment to youth and rebuilding. Marc Eversley emphasized the strategic pivot: "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."
Training Camp Relocation
Breaking tradition for the first time in nearly 40 years, the Bulls held their training camp outside of Chicago, choosing the campus of Belmont University in Nashville. The team’s focus sharpened as they looked to redefine their identity and establish a foundation for the future.
Despite a record of 24-27 at the trade deadline, the Bulls prioritized making the play-in tournament once again, a decision reflecting their unwillingness to part with key veteran assets in pursuit of immediate success. Eversley noted, "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."
Farewell to DeRozan
DeMar DeRozan, a cornerstone for the Bulls over the past three seasons, expressed heartfelt gratitude in his farewell: "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."
The Bulls executed a sign-and-trade with the Kings, securing a new three-year, $74 million contract for DeRozan. Eversley praised DeRozan’s contributions while acknowledging the necessity of the move: "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."
Zach LaVine’s Return
Zach LaVine, a pivotal player whose season-ending surgery in February was a significant blow, has fully recovered and is set to return. Eversley was optimistic about LaVine’s comeback: "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."
Coaching Changes
The Bulls also saw significant changes within their coaching staff. Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departed, making way for Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig to take the helm. These moves were an integral part of the comprehensive restructuring overseen by Karnisovas and Eversley.
As the Bulls head into a new season, the reshaped roster and coaching staff signal a fresh start. With a renewed focus on youth and energy, the franchise hopes to turn the corner and build a sustainable path to success. The journey will be closely watched from the offices of Karnisovas and Eversley, high above the practice courts where the future of the Bulls takes shape.