Chicago Bulls fans were practically dancing in the streets when news came down that Arturas Karnisovas would take over as Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations. Expectations are he’s going to expand the front office in a big way and has wasted no time in doing so. Already he’s in the process of making two new additions in J.J. Polk from New Orleans and Pat Connelly from Denver. Yet amidst this euphoria, there are some who remain concerned. What will the Bulls do with Gar Forman?
Stories have come out in recent months about the former Bulls GM. About how he fostered an atmosphere of cutthroat politics and mistrust throughout the organization. He was the one who alienated Derrick Rose and Jimmy Butler. He was responsible for running Tom Thibodeau out of town. People have wanted him gone for a long time, yet he remains employed. So what will the Bulls do about that?
According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports, he’ll likely have two options.
“As for the future of holdovers like general manager Gar Forman, those decisions all will be Karnisovas’ call. Karnisovas and Forman spoke briefly, a source said, with future dialogue expected. However, the source said Forman will land in the scouting department at best, with the possibility of being let go to pursue other opportunities.”
Gar Forman best hope Karnisovas is in a giving mood
Things have changed so fast in the past week that it’s been difficult to take stock of just how far Forman has fallen. This was a man who was on top of the basketball world nine years ago, being named NBA Executive of the Year in 2011. Then things slowly began to erode. His paranoia and lack of true leadership qualities led to cracks within the organization that only widened with time. Many felt the beginning of the end for him was replacing Thibodeau with Fred Hoiberg as head coach.
Suddenly a man who was GM of one of the most decorated basketball franchises in history for a decade may not even get the courtesy of a job in the scouting department. Talk about a fall from grace. Given his reputation, it feels like Karnisovas might not even give him that much. Bulls fans certainly know where they themselves stand. The further away Forman is from this organization, the better.
