At the helm of the Chicago Bulls' front office, Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley have a bird's-eye view of their team. From their sleek offices equipped with sliding glass doors that open to indoor balconies, they oversee a squad in transition. After a disappointing end to last season, finishing 24-27 by the trade deadline and being ousted by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament, the Bulls' leadership vowed change and took full responsibility for their shortcomings.
In a move to rejuvenate the roster, the Bulls made significant personnel changes. DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond were encouraged to find new teams, replaced by younger talents like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith. "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," Eversley explained. The hope is that this infusion of youth will pivot the team's trajectory towards sustained success.
A Farewell to DeRozan
DeRozan's departure marks a poignant turn for the Bulls' organization. During his three seasons with Chicago, DeRozan became a central figure, celebrated by fans and teammates alike. In his farewell, DeRozan 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." His move to the Kings in a sign-and-trade deal reflects both a personal decision and a strategic one for Chicago. Eversley acknowledged the difficult decision, stating, "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."
Changing the Guard
The Bulls also saw changes within their coaching staff, with Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff departing. They have been replaced by Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig, bringing fresh leadership as the team eyes a new chapter. These changes are part of Karnisovas' broader vision aimed at reinvigorating the team's culture and strategies.
One of the more controversial moves was holding training camp outside Chicago for the first time in nearly 40 years. This symbolic change, gathering on the campus of Belmont University in Nashville, underscores the desire to hit the reset button and build a solid foundation away from the daily grind of their home city.
The Road Ahead
The road to reclaiming playoff relevance is steep. The team must navigate the season without their 2025 first-round draft pick, which they owe to the Spurs (though it's top-10 protected). However, the Bulls are banking on their young assets to step up and fill the void left by veterans. Coby White, who finished second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, exemplifies the potential impact of their youthful roster.
Another critical piece of the puzzle is Zach LaVine. After undergoing season-ending surgery in February, LaVine is expected to be ready for the new season. His relationship with head coach Billy Donovan has been rocky, prompting speculation about his role and future with the team. A source within the team offered a blunt take: "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." It remains to be seen whether LaVine will find common ground with Donovan and contribute to the Bulls' renewed vision.
A Fresh Start?
Karnisovas and Eversley are poised to see if their bold moves translate into success on the court. As Eversley succinctly put it, "We've promised change and we think we've executed that. I think the changes being made at all levels of the organization are positive ones." For the Bulls, the upcoming season is about proving that their efforts to revitalize the team will yield results. The pressure is on, and the spotlight is squarely focused on whether this new-era Bulls team can rise to the occasion.