With the team set to miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons, the Bulls announced on Monday that they’re firing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley.
The pair were both hired in the spring of 2020 as the Bulls parted ways with longtime executive Gar Forman (and reassigned John Paxson), but Chicago has continued to mire in mediocrity — posting a 224-254 record under Karnisovas and Eversley.
“Arturas and Marc have led with a deep commitment to the Chicago Bulls. These decisions are never easy, especially when they involve people we respect both personally and professionally,” Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement.
“We are grateful for their dedication and the work they’ve put in over the past years. At the same time, we have not had the success our fans deserve, and it’s my responsibility to go in a new direction. This move is about positioning our team for sustained success moving ahead.”
The move comes as Chicago is just 29-49 and 12th in the Eastern Conference, with the team set to draft in the lottery for the third straight year.
Karnisovas and Eversley’s rocky tenure was brought into focus last week when the team cut Jaden Ivey less than two months after trading for the 2022 No. 5 overall pick.
Ivey, who was dealt to Chicago in a three-team deal that saw the Bulls send Kevin Huerter and Dario Saric to Detroit, was released by the organization for ‘conduct detrimental to the team’ after criticizing the NBA’s support of Pride Month in a lengthy video rant online.
The Christian guard spent much of the video speaking about religion and also called Catholicism a “false religion” in the Instagram live stream.
Karnisovas and Eversley also traded away productive players in Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White at this year’s trade deadline, and in 2021 shipped off a future All-Star in Lauri Markkanen.
Patrick Williams — who is averaging a career-low 6.6 points per game this year — was also rewarded with a five-year, $90 million extension in 2024.
Despite the Bulls’ changes to their front office, they will reportedly try to keep head coach Billy Donovan.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Bulls hope to retain Donovan, whose hiring coincided with the start of the Karnisovas-Eversley era.
The coach made the playoffs just once with Chicago, in 2021-22.
“I want our fans to know that I hear you and understand your frustration. I feel it as well. I know this will take time, and I am fully committed to getting this right,” Reinsdorf said in his statement.
“At the Chicago Bulls, our focus remains on building a team that can compete at the highest level and ultimately contend for championships. We are committed to taking the necessary steps to move the Bulls forward in a way that makes our fans proud.”
