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.
On Thursday night, a person familiar with the situation revealed that the Bulls have appointed Arturas Karnisovas, the general manager of the Denver Nuggets, to oversee their basketball operations.
The individual, who validated reports from various sources, requested anonymity as the move hasn’t been officially announced yet.
It was anticipated that longtime executive John Paxson would transition into an advisory role. The future roles of general manager Gar Forman and coach Jim Boylen remained uncertain.
This step enables the Bulls to have their new chief executive ready if the season recommences following the suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Karnisovas, who is 48 years old, had a stellar career at Seton Hall and internationally, earning two Olympic bronze medals while representing Lithuania. From 2003 to 2008, he was part of the NBA’s basketball operations. He then served as an international scout for the Houston Rockets for five years before joining the Denver Nuggets’ front office in 2013. In 2017, he was promoted to general manager of the Nuggets when Tim Connelly was elevated from GM to president of basketball operations.
Karnisovas played a significant part in Denver’s decision to draft two-time All-Star center Nikola Jokic in the second round of the 2014 draft with the 41st overall pick. He was also influential in the recent lottery selections of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. In addition, Karnisovas and Connelly have established an internationally respected scouting operation.
With a 43-22 record, Denver is leading the Northwest division and ranks third in the Western Conference.
During the All-Star break in Chicago, there were reports of a potential reshuffle within the Bulls’ front office. Despite having a young nucleus they hoped could compete for a playoff spot, the Bulls were in 11th place in the Eastern Conference with a 22-43 record when the season was put on hold.
After running the front office for 17 years, Paxson, who scored the championship-winning 3-pointer for Chicago against Phoenix in 1993, is stepping aside.
After Jerry Krause resigned due to a failed rebuild following the Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen era, he assumed the position of general manager in 2003.
In May 2009, Paxson was elevated to the position of Vice President of Basketball Operations. Forman, who had been with the Bulls as a scout since 1998, assumed the role of General Manager.
