Chicago Bulls: Arturas Karnisovas fired after six disappointing seasons

The Chicago Bulls officially announced Monday the dismissal of Arturas Karnisovas, executive vice president of basketball operations, and Marc Eversley, general manager of the franchise. The decision ends six years of mediocrity for the Illinois organization.

With a record of 29 wins and 49 losses this season and a 12th-place finish in the East, the Bulls missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. The duo posted an overall record of 224-254 since joining in 2020, with only one playoff appearance in 2021-2022, ending in a first-round elimination against the Milwaukee Bucks.

A necessary change of direction after years of wandering

« These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally, » said Michael Reinsdorf, president of the Bulls, in a statement. « We have not achieved the success our fans deserve, and it is my responsibility to move in a new direction. »

According to internal sources cited by ESPN, a « growing disconnect » had developed between the front office and the rest of the organization. Decisions made at the trade deadline, particularly the trades of Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu for disappointing returns, crystallized the tensions.

The trade for Nikola Vucevic in 2021, which cost Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two first-round picks, is described by one source as the « original sin » of the Karnisovas era. The Jaden Ivey affair, released last week following controversial statements on social media, also weighed in the balance.

BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls have dismissed executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/R3Ev3RVSyL

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 6, 2026

Billy Donovan in a state of uncertainty

Despite this major housecleaning, the Bulls would like to retain head coach Billy Donovan, who has been in the role since 2020. According to ESPN, the organization holds the coach in high regard despite the disappointing record and the personal hardships he faced this season with the deaths of his father and mother-in-law.

The Bulls now have approximately $60 million in salary cap space and draft picks to rebuild with. Among the names mentioned to succeed Karnisovas are Kyle Korver, currently an assistant GM with the Hawks, and Landry Fields, former GM of the Hawks.

« Our goal remains to build a team capable of competing at the highest level and contending for championships, » promised Michael Reinsdorf, aware of the frustration among supporters after this long stretch of disappointment.

Potential candidates to take over the Chicago Bulls’ front office, per @basketballtalk

– Mike Dunleavy Jr.
– Kyle Korver
– Landry Fields
– Matt Lloyd
– Austin Brown

Who should the Bulls hire? pic.twitter.com/33BthcOQqf

— NBA Base (@TheNBABase) April 7, 2026