Chicago Bulls: Six Candidates Targeted to Replace Arturas Karnisovas

The Chicago Bulls have officially begun their search for a new basketball operations director. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the franchise has received permission to interview several league executives, two weeks after firing Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley following another missed playoff season.

Six Experienced Candidates in the Bulls’ Sights

The list of candidates reflects Chicago’s desire to cast a wide net following the failure of the Karnisovas era. Matt Lloyd, general manager of the Minnesota Timberwolves, leads the group of contenders. The former Bull (1995–2012) spent 17 years in various roles within the organization before joining Orlando and then Minnesota, where he became Tim Connelly’s right-hand man.

Dennis Lindsey of the Detroit Pistons brings 30 years of experience, including seven seasons as GM of the Utah Jazz. Bryson Graham from Atlanta, formerly of New Orleans, is known for his sharp eye in the draft. Mike Gansey from Cleveland and Dave Telep from San Antonio round out this list of seasoned executives.

The most intriguing name remains Austin Brown, co-head of the basketball division at CAA. The respected agent represents stars such as Donovan Mitchell, Cooper Flagg, Trae Young, and OG Anunoby. A Chicago native, Brown was previously approached by the Bulls in 2020 under Karnisovas.

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Major Constraints for the Incoming Executive

The new basketball operations director will need to work within specific constraints. Michael Reinsdorf, the franchise’s president, has made it clear that Billy Donovan will remain as head coach: « If Billy wants to be our coach and someone isn’t interested in that, then they’re probably not the right candidate. »

Interviews are expected to begin this week, with a hiring target set for just before or after the NBA Draft Combine in mid-May. The successful candidate will inherit a roster in transition, with up to $65 million in salary cap space and a lottery pick to reshape the team around Josh Giddey and Matas Buzelis.

This search comes after six frustrating years under Karnisovas, with only one playoff appearance. The Bulls are hoping to finally find the right formula to escape the chronic mediocrity that has kept them in the middle of the pack in the NBA for nearly a decade.

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