BREAKING: The Arturas Karnisovas Nightmare Is Over — And What Comes Next
The Chicago Bulls have never been a team known for decisiveness. Even after word came out that the Reinsdorfs were contemplating a front office change, fans weren’t ready to buy in. After all, they’d heard such things before, only to watch Gar Forman and John Paxson cling to their jobs way longer than they should’ve. Most expected it would be the same for Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley. All in the name of “continuity.” So one can imagine everybody was caught off guard by the bombshell from Sham Charania.
Chicago has fired both men. With the offseason almost at hand, the bulk of the Bulls’ front office is now gone. That creates a challenge for Michael Reinsdorf. He must find a new VP of Basketball Operations, who must then install a new front office, all in the space of two months. The NBA draft lottery is next month on May 10th. The draft takes place in late June, with free agency happening a week later. That isn’t much time for an executive to get all his ducks in a row. The Bulls would be wise to move quickly.
Hopefully, they already have some options in mind.
Logically, the Arturas Karnisovas replacement should be obvious.
There is no bigger fish in the ocean right now than Bob Myers. The former Golden State Warriors President of Basketball Operations was the primary architect of the dynasty that won four NBA championships, headlined by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. He also won an NCAA championship as a player. The man has done nothing but win throughout his basketball life. Best of all, he is only 51 years old. He’s been waiting for the next opportunity ever since he stepped down in May of 2023 from his position with the Warriors.
Another option mentioned is Mike Dunleavy Jr. He replaced Myers as Golden State’s general manager and has ties to the Bulls organization from his four seasons there as a player. He worked with Myers, so he understands how to operate in a similar fashion. If the Bulls feel they can’t land the former, then Dunleavy would make sense if he’s interested in the job.
There is just one notable complication. What is happening with Billy Donovan? While Arturas Karnisovas might be out, there has been no similar announcement regarding the head coach. Rumors have surfaced that the Reinsdorfs want to keep him. This move, along with North Carolina hiring Michael Malone as its new head coach, suggests the team is heading in this direction.