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UPDATE: April 9 — The Bulls are finalizing a deal with Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas, per Woj. Karnisovas will become the Executive VP of Basketball Ops, which was the job previously held by John Paxson. Karnisovas will then hire a new GM to replace Gar Forman. This is a major makeover for the Bulls front office.
The Chicago Bulls are finalizing a deal with Denver Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas to become the franchise’s new Executive VP of Basketball Operations, sources tell ESPN. Karnisovas will be tasked with hiring a new GM and reshaping the front office.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 9, 2020
UPDATE: April 8 — The Bulls interviewed former Atlanta Hawks GM Wes Wilcox on Wednesday, Woj reported.
Former Atlanta Hawks GM Wes Wilcox interviewed for the Chicago Bulls Executive VP of Basketball Operations job today, sources tell ESPN. Wilcox helped build an Eastern Conference contender with the Hawks. Wilcox is currently an analyst with NBA-TV.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 8, 2020
The Bulls also interviewed former Cavaliers GM Danny Ferry, per K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
Former GM Danny Ferry interviewed for the Bulls lead executive position, per sources.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) April 8, 2020
Add Bryan Colangelo to the list of candidates. He’s most notable for his time with the 76ers and for his involvement in Team USA basketball.
The Bulls interviewed former 76ers president Bryan Colangelo for top basketball operations position, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Colangelo also has been lead executive in Toronto and Phoenix.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 8, 2020
Woj is reporting that Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas may be the frontrunner at this point.
Denver GM Arturas Karnisovas has made a strong impression on the Bulls in the franchise's process for a new top basketball executive, sources tell ESPN. Those conversations are ongoing. https://t.co/xQnWi4r0EE
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 8, 2020
UPDATE: April 6 — The Bulls conducted a video interview with Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Monday.
Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik did a video interview with the Chicago Bulls today for the franchise's Executive VP of Basketball Operations opening, sources tell ESPN. Denver Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas will interview with Bulls mid-week.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 6, 2020
After this, the Bulls will bring in Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas this week for an interview. Raptors GM Bobby Webster is also expected to be interviewed by Chicago, which is seeking permission.
The Chicago Bulls have been granted permission by ownership to hire a new top executive in charge of making basketball decisions, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Friday. Initially, the Bulls are seeking permission to interview two executives from notable teams. Denver Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas and Toronto Raptors GM Bobby Webster.
Bulls GM Gar Forman and VP of basketball ops John Paxson will remain with the team for now. Paxson is expected to shift to another role within the organization, per Woj. Forman’s future isn’t so clear. “GarPax” as they’ve been dubbed, have been together in these roles since 2009, when the team was resurrected by Derrick Rose and free agency. Ultimately, those teams underachieved by a wide margin and GarPax haven’t been able to right the franchise since then.
Looking at the two candidates, Woj sites a few notable spots for each. Karnisovas was the one who drafted both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, plus brings a familiarity with European hoops and a vast resume. Webster was promoted to GM in place of Masai Ujiri, who runs the team now. Webster was a key member of last season’s championship team led by Kawhi Leonard and Pascal Siakam.
This is a move the Bulls probably should have made a while back. It’s not surprising in the least Paxson is going to remain with the team. We’ll likely see some Paxson in “The Last Dance” doc coming out on April 19th on ESPN about the Bulls dynasty in the 90s. All that aside, it appears the Bulls want to bring in a more progressive voice, somebody who is open to new ideas in how to construct a winning basketball team.