When news first came out that the Chicago Bulls were interested in Arturas Karnisovas, nobody was surprised. The Denver Nuggets GM had been linked to several top jobs going all the way back to 2016. No team was able to lure him away. However, when the Bulls came calling things changed. It was reported Karnisovas coveted that job and made sure to deliver that desire in his interview. The impression he made was so strong that the Reinsdorfs swiftly brought him back for a second meeting in less than 24 hours.
Now he replaces John Paxson after 17 years as the Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations.
Expectations are that Karnisovas will make significant changes to the front office structure in the coming weeks. This includes expanding it to involve new positions and hiring his own general manager. Then he’ll start focusing on what to do about the roster, starting with head coach Jim Boylen. While Bulls fans are thrilled with his arrival, if for nothing else than he gets Paxson out, what about the wider NBA.
Early impressions suggest the Bulls got this one absolutely right.
Chicago Bulls got a guy who isn’t afraid of change
If people are wondering whether Karnisovas will be afraid to do anything drastic his first year in charge, they merely need to look at what he did when the Nuggets promoted him to GM in 2017. He signed Paul Millsap in free agency along with Monte Morris. People also credit him for being instrumental in luring superstar Nikola Jokic away from Europe in 2015. So it’s clear the man has an eye for talent.
He also could be in line to make sweeping changes. Chicago is projected to have another lottery pick this coming offseason. A number of the contracts on the books will also be movable. Otto Porter and Kris Dunn will be free agents. Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky could both be traded or released to secure over $26 million in additional cap space. If Karnisovas wishes to be aggressive in his remodeling of this Bulls team, he can.
