At the head of a row of cubicles within the Chicago Bulls headquarters are the offices of Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, overlooking the basketball courts below. It is from these vantage points that they watch and dissect the team they’ve meticulously pieced together. Each office boasts a sliding glass door opening up to an indoor balcony, a symbolic perch from which to oversee their constructed vision.
Rebuilding the Bulls
Over the past season, the Bulls have faced significant challenges. Eliminated by the Miami Heat on the road in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament for the second consecutive year, the Bulls missed the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years and the third time in Karnisovas' four-year tenure. "I take full responsibility," Karnisovas stated in a press conference after the loss.
The front office knew changes were necessary. The Bulls allowed talent like DeMar DeRozan, Alex Caruso, and Andre Drummond to depart. DeRozan's final words to Chicago fans were filled with 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."
However, Eversley hinted that the decision to move on from DeRozan was thoughtful and necessary: "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." Thus, the Bulls executed a sign-and-trade deal that saw DeRozan join the Kings with a new three-year, $74 million contract.
Youth Movement
In place of the departing veterans, the Bulls have opted for youth, bringing in Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Jalen Smith. This strategic pivot was encapsulated by Eversley's vision: "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."
This shift was also an attempt to rebuild a culture of long-term success. Last season, the team prioritized making the play-in tournament for the second straight year rather than depleting their veteran resources, a strategy that saw them holding on to players like Drummond and Caruso initially. However, a subsequent trade saw Caruso sent to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Giddey, marking a significant infusion of youthful energy.
New Beginnings
In search of fresh momentum, the Chicago Bulls held their training camp outside of Chicago for the first time in nearly 40 years, gathering at Belmont University in Nashville. This move aimed to foster unity and focus as they embarked on this new phase of their journey.
The Bulls' season saw a roller coaster of events. Zach LaVine, a key player, underwent season-ending surgery in February. Despite previous clashes with coach Billy Donovan, his return to full health is anticipated to bolster the team's performance. "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," Eversley remarked. "Simply put, we're looking forward to having him come back to training camp and joining the team."
The coaching staff also saw substantial changes with the departure of Mo Cheeks, Chris Fleming, and Josh Longstaff, who were replaced by Wes Unseld Jr. and Dan Craig. This reconfiguration signifies the Bulls' intent to infuse new ideas and strategies into their gameplay.
Looking Ahead
With a current record of 24-27 at the trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls are in the process of redefining their aspirations and capabilities. Coby White's impressive season has culminated in him finishing second in the voting for the NBA's Most Improved Player award, providing a beacon of hope for the team’s future.
Despite the anticipated positive changes, the team still bears the weight of past decisions. The Bulls owe their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Spurs, albeit it comes with a top-10 protection. Yet, as Eversley stated, "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. Now it's time to put in the work and see if some of those changes are going to be fruitful or not."
The Chicago Bulls have entered a new era with a revitalized vision, blending youthful exuberance with experienced leadership. As they strive to rebuild and re-establish themselves as playoff contenders, the basketball world watches with bated breath to see if this gamble on youth will pay off in the quest for sustained success.