Bulls Dismiss Top Executives With One Week Remaining in Regular Season
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CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls fired president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley on Monday, ending a six-season tenure marked by losing records and disputed roster moves.
The decision arrives with just seven days left on the 2025-26 regular-season schedule. Chicago is 29-49 and sits 12th in the Eastern Conference.
Why ownership acted now
Team sources described a widening disconnect between the front office and the rest of the organization following a trade deadline that left employees uncertain about the club’s direction. Frustration intensified after guard Jaden Ivey, acquired in February, was waived on March 30 amid questions about the diligence behind the deal.
Since taking control before the 2020-21 campaign, Karnisovas and Eversley compiled a 224-254 record. Their lone winning season came in 2021-22, when Chicago lost a first-round series to the Milwaukee Bucks in five games.
Key roster moves under scrutiny
Among the most criticized transactions were the 2021 trade that sent Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two first-round picks to Orlando for Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu; the July 2024 extension that gave Patrick Williams five years and $90 million; and this season’s swap of Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey. Chicago also waited until this February to move Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, despite strong league interest earlier in the year.
Current assets and outlook
After seven trades at the deadline, the Bulls have nearly $60 million in projected cap space, eight extra second-round picks, and a young core featuring Giddey, rookie Matas Buzelis and 2024 first-rounder Noa Essengue. The club holds the league’s ninth-best odds in May’s draft lottery, giving Chicago a 4.5% chance at the No. 1 pick and a 20.3% chance to land in the top four. A lottery-protected first-round pick from Portland could convey if the Trail Blazers reach the playoffs.
Billy Donovan’s status
Head coach Billy Donovan, hired in 2020 and owner of the same 224-254 mark as the outgoing executives, remains under contract. Sources said management intends to meet with Donovan after the season to discuss keeping him in place, though the 58-year-old coach may weigh taking time away following family deaths earlier this year.
Next steps
Monday’s move launches only Chicago’s third search for a lead basketball executive since 2000. Ownership is expected to prioritize candidates who can articulate a clear, long-term plan while leveraging the club’s clean cap sheet and large market.
Source: ESPN
