The Chicago Bulls are trying to change their culture for the first time in years. Things took a long time to deteriorate during the Gar Forman and John Paxson era. Yet every situation has a breaking point and the miserable start to the 2019-2020 season basically spelled the end for the executive duo. Forman is already reassigned to the scouting department and Paxson has been removed from having any say in major basketball decisions by the Reinsdorf family.
That said, the tricky part is finding the right guy to take over. Somebody who can come in and revamp the basketball operations into something that will produce a winner. The Bulls had their list of possible options. Unfortunately, three of them are already off the table. Pacers GM Chad Buchanan declined an interview to stay in Indiana. Raptors GM Bobby Webster was a no-go as Toronto blocked Chicago’s efforts to meet with him.
Now Heat VP of Basketball Operations Adam Simon, who some believe was the Bulls’ most desired target, is out as well.
While disappointing for the organization, it has also reshaped the outlook for the job with one name quickly emerging as a heavy favorite to get the nod. Provided the upcoming interview goes well. That being Denver Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas.
Chicago Bulls rumored to really like Karnisovas
The 2019-2020 Nuggets teams was one of the best in the Western Conference prior to the NBA shutting down operations due to COVID-19. Key players like Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Will Barton, and Paul Milsap were acquired under Karnisovas’ watch. Jokic was a 2nd round pick in 2014 and has become a two-time All-Star.
So the GM seems to have a good eye for talent. According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, his interview should happen in the next couple of days.
“A source close to the situation said the Bulls interviewed Jazz GM Justin Zanik by video on Monday, with Nuggets GM Arturas Karnisovas scheduled to do the same.
Zanik, who attended Northwestern and was a player agent before becoming an NBA executive, is more than just a “cap guy,’’ building a solid reputation as a communicator with an understanding of how to delegate scouting and player -development.
Karnisovas’ strength is scouting — both at the college level and internationally — and he also has been instrumental in key deals that have helped re-establish the Nuggets as a threat in the Western Conference.”
Karnisovas was a star himself as a player over in Europe. A three-time EuroStar, three-time Spanish league champion, and one-time Italian league champion. He got into the basketball operations business back in 2003 and has steadily worked his way up the ladder since. At 48-years old he is still young but widely experienced and ready to run his own team.
