The Chicago Bulls are finally making changes to their front office structure. Gar Forman is exiled back to the scouting department. John Paxson is relegated to the “senior advisory” role. It will be the Arturas Karnisovas show moving forward. The former Denver Nuggets GM is taking over as Vice President of Basketball Operations and changes are expected soon. A lot of people are happy with the hire. Jim Boylen isn’t one of them.
According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Bulls head coach senses that his job could be in jeopardy.
“A source told the Sun-Times Thursday morning that Boylen is already concerned that he will be ousted, and was hoping to sit down with his new bosses and discuss his year-and-a-half on the job.
Whether Boylen will get that opportunity is obviously yet to be decided, but even his biggest supporters — the Reinsdorfs — won’t be throwing a life preserver his way if Karnisovas wants to go in a different direction.”
This should not be a surprise. The Bulls haven’t made any progress under Boylen’s direction. Lauri Markkanen took a step back in his development from 2018-2019. Zach Lavine reportedly had issues with him too. It was widely felt the only man protecting Boylen was Paxson who is now out.
Jim Boylen did nothing to show he deserves to stay
Boylen may try to argue that the young players on the Bulls roster have improved under his watch. Specifically the rapid development of rookie Coby White. Given a little more time he can get things figured out. However, it doesn’t feel like the coach has the full trust of his players. Word is widespread that several don’t like him and feel he’s not cut out for the job. Combine that with him not being Karnisovas’ personal choice?
The odds don’t favor him surviving into 2020-2021. Changes are coming. That much is certain. From top to bottom. Karnisovas has complete autonomy over the basketball operations with the blessing of the Reinsdorfs. All weak links will be jettisoned in one way or another.
