Bulls terminate contracts of VP Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley
The Chicago Bulls have terminated the contracts of executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, as announced by the team on Monday.
Karnisovas and Eversley were appointed to oversee the Bulls’ front office at the beginning of the 2020-21 season, concluding their tenure with a record of 224-254 over six seasons. Under Karnisovas’ guidance, Chicago managed only one winning season, in 2021-22, which was also the sole year the team reached the playoffs—a five-game first-round elimination by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2022.
The Bulls currently hold a record of 29-49, placing them 12th in the Eastern Conference, and they have missed the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
The season began positively for Chicago, with a 5-0 start and six victories in their first seven games, marking their best start since the Michael Jordan era. However, the team experienced a decline in the standings due to injuries and has faced four separate losing streaks of at least five games this season.
At the trade deadline, Chicago made significant changes to its roster, trading away seven players, including popular figures like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, in an attempt, as Karnisovas described it, “to get out of the middle.” However, sources informed ESPN that these moves did not significantly enhance their lottery prospects or acquire players viewed as part of the team’s future. One of the players obtained by the Bulls, Jaden Ivey, was released last week following several controversial social media posts addressing topics such as religion, anti-LGBTQ sentiments, and mental health.
“These decisions are never simple, particularly when they involve individuals we hold in high regard both personally and professionally,” stated Chicago Bulls owner Michael Reinsdorf. “We appreciate their commitment and the efforts they have made over the past six years. Nevertheless, we have not achieved the success our fans expect, and it is my duty to pursue a new direction.
“This decision is aimed at positioning our team for long-term success moving forward. I want our fans to understand that I hear you and recognize your frustration. I share in that sentiment. I realize this process will require time, and I am fully dedicated to getting it right. At the Chicago Bulls, our aim remains to build a team capable of competing at the highest level and ultimately contending for championships. We are committed to taking the essential steps to advance the Bulls in a manner that makes our fans proud.”
