CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bulls came into the season thinking they were poised to contend for a playoff spot. The plan did not unfold the way they envisioned, and now, they have a new leader in the front office.
Arturas Karnisovas, Denver Nuggets’ general manager, was appointed by The Bulls to manage their basketball operation, according to a person knowledgeable about the situation on Thursday night.
The individual, who verified the reports from multiple sources, requested anonymity as the move has not been officially announced.
It was anticipated that veteran executive John Paxson would transition into an advisory role. The future roles of general manager Gar Forman and coach Jim Boylen, however, were uncertain.
The decision enables the Bulls to have their new leading executive ready if the season restarts following the COVID-19 pandemic suspension.
Karnisovas, 48, was a star player at Seton Hall and had a fruitful international career, earning two Olympic bronze medals for Lithuania. From 2003 to 2008, he was employed in basketball operations for the NBA. He then spent five years as an international scout for the Houston Rockets before joining the Denver Nuggets’ front office in 2013. After four years, he was promoted to the position of General Manager for the Nuggets, while Tim Connelly moved up from GM to president of basketball operations.
Karnisovas played a significant part in Denver’s decision to pick two-time All-Star center Nikola Jokic in the second round of the 2014 draft with the 41st overall selection. He also had a hand in the recent lottery picks of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Additionally, Karnisovas and Connelly have built a highly regarded international scouting operation.
With a 43-22 record, Denver is leading the Northwest division and is third in the Western Conference.
During the All-Star break in Chicago, there were reports suggesting that the Bulls were considering a shake up in their front office. The team, believing they were ready to compete for a playoff spot with their young core, found themselves in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-43 record when the season was put on hold.
Paxson, who scored the 3-point shot that clinched the championship for Chicago against Phoenix in 1993, is stepping down after a 17-year tenure in the front office.
After Jerry Krause resigned due to an unsuccessful rebuild post the Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen era, he assumed the role of general manager in 2003.
In May 2009, Paxson was elevated to the position of vice president of basketball operations, while Forman, who had been with the Bulls as a scout since 1998, assumed the role of GM.
