At the heart of the Chicago Bulls' executive suite, Arturas Karnisovas, the team's vice president of basketball operations, and Marc Eversley, the general manager, face a new season with a renewed vision. The sliding glass doors of their offices lead to an indoor balcony overlooking the basketball courts, offering them a direct view of the team they have meticulously constructed. However, the weight of past disappointments is ever-present.
Following another lackluster season marked by a second consecutive elimination by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, the Bulls missed the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven years. This was the third such failure in Karnisovas' four-year tenure. In a candid press conference, Karnisovas took "full responsibility" for the team's performance.
Embracing Change
The Bulls have embarked on a bold new path, adopting a youthful approach in their roster decisions. DeMar DeRozan, a beloved figure in Chicago, found a new home in free agency, while Alex Caruso was traded, and Andre Drummond was allowed to walk. In their place, the Bulls brought in Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith, each of whom is in their twenties.
Marc Eversley explained the strategic shift, stating, "We've gone young. We've got players who are experienced and give us a greater opportunity to have a longer runway for sustainability to winning meaningful games for a longer time."
Farewell to DeRozan
DeRozan, who played three seasons with the Bulls, left an indelible mark on the organization and its fans. In his parting message, he expressed deep gratitude: "A thank you would be an understatement. The love, passion and joy you filled me with for three seasons was a dream. It gave me a drive every night to return the feeling." Eversley echoed this sentiment, acknowledging DeRozan's contributions while also addressing the future: "I love DeMar. He was terrific for our organization the last three years. But I don't think we were in a position to deliver what he was looking for going forward. He wants to win. He deserves an opportunity to win at a really high level. And arguably, we're not in that situation right now. As much as it hurt to let him go, I'm extremely happy for him."
Rebuilding with Purpose
The changes included resignations within the coaching staff, with Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departing. They were replaced by Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig, signaling a fresh start on multiple fronts. "We've promised change and we think we've executed that," said Eversley. "I think the changes being made at all levels of the organization are positive ones. Now it's time to put in the work and see if some of those changes are going to be fruitful or not."
Training camp also saw significant adjustments as the Bulls held it outside Chicago for the first time in nearly 40 years, opting for the campus of Belmont University in Nashville. This move symbolized the organization's willingness to break with tradition in pursuit of better results.
Challenges and Opportunities
On the player front, the Bulls grappled with setbacks as well as potential. Zach LaVine, who had season-ending surgery in February, has fully recovered and is expected to start the season on time. However, LaVine's relationship with head coach Billy Donovan has had its rough patches. A team source speculated, "He's never won, he's done it his way the whole way and never won. If he's interested in winning, he'll do what's asked of him. And if he's motivated to not be here, one way is to come, be compliant and be who he is." Eversley emphasized the importance of LaVine's return: "The most unfortunate situation for Zach last year was that he got hurt. Coming out of camp, he wasn't right. Him going down early in the season proved that. When he came back, he was pretty good and the team was pretty good. Small sample size, but we can build off that. Simply put, we're looking forward to having him come back to training camp and joining the team."
A New Season Dawns
The Bulls' record of 24-27 at the trade deadline presented a critical decision point: to push for the play-in tournament or to recalibrate. The franchise opted to retain valuable players such as Drummond and Caruso temporarily, despite later trading Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Giddey. DeRozan, who consistently voiced his desire to stay in Chicago, was ultimately involved in a sign-and-trade with the Kings, sealing a three-year, $74 million contract.
Coby White provided a glimmer of hope by finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, showcasing the potential for individual growth within the team.
As the Bulls prepare for another season, the organization is at a crossroads, embracing change with the hope of achieving long-term success. Arturas Karnisovas summed up the sentiment best: "We need to have a summer like 2021."