The decisions made by Artūras Karnišovas could determine what happens to the Chicago Bulls over the next few seasons.
The last time we heard from the Bulls' executive vice president of basketball operations was just after Thanksgiving. His team was nine games under .500 and on a five-game losing streak. Karnišovas gave a short and mysterious response to the team's slow start.
“We see the same things as everyone else and are just as frustrated, Karnišovas told Bulls reporters in Boston. “We're disappointed, but I'm not avoiding it. It's my responsibility.
Coming from someone who rarely speaks to the media, that was a long speech.
But since then, the Bulls boss has not made much progress, hoping for a trade market for Zach LaVine to develop and watching his team slowly improve in the Eastern Conference race. With the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaching and LaVine sidelined with a sprained right ankle, Karnišovas' choices seem limited.
He could continue to rely on the core and hope they keep playing better without LaVine (10-7) and with LaVine in a supporting role (5-2).
- Or he could hope that a newly created market for LaVine's services appears during LaVine’s estimated one to two-week absence, bringing an end to this long saga.
- He could also stop waiting for a trade market for LaVine and instead focus on trading one of his two most valuable assets, DeMar DeRozan or Alex Caruso. return in Should he continue as planned or start over? We'll have the answer in 19 days.
- The Bulls' 125-96 win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday,
and the upcoming three-game West Coast trip starting Monday in Phoenix, then moving to Los Angeles for a Thursday matchup against the Lakers, and ending on Jan. 28 in Portland, Ore.,
will give Karnišovas a better idea of whether it's time for a change.
After It's not the same as the circus trips that coach Phil Jackson used to organize, but by the time the Bulls return on Jan. 30 against the Toronto Raptors, Karnišovas should have a better idea of whether it's time to move on from this core and begin something new. LaVine, with almost $140 million remaining on his five-year, $215 million contract, has been difficult to trade, especially after two knee surgeries before his recent foot and ankle injuries. If he comes back after the trip, he will have four games to show he is healthy and back to his usual performance before the trade deadline. DeRozan, an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, is likely to be traded due to his contract status and ability to fit into any contender's team. At 34, he's still a good scorer and has been a positive influence on younger players like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu.
DeRozan has expressed his desire to end his career in Chicago, where he quickly became one of the city's most popular athletes. But given how far the Bulls are from contending for a title, Karnišovas might be doing DeRozan a favor by giving him a chance to pursue a championship.
Caruso, who got his first NBA All-Defensive First Team selection last season and could be in the running for Defensive Player of the Year if he could stay healthy, should be a bigger target for teams than DeRozan because he has another year left in his four-year, $37 million deal. He was ranked 21st in 3-point shooting percentage (.418) and second in deflections (3.4) as of Saturday. He used to be known for his hustle, but now he’s an all-around player.
The Suns and the Lakers, Caruso’s former team, are likely to be interested if the Bulls decide to actively shop him. Just picture Caruso teaming up with Suns guard Grayson Allen, whose flagrant foul in Milwaukee two years ago broke Caruso’s right wrist. Or back in Los Angeles with old friend LeBron James, where he started his career and became a cult hero to Lakers fans.
Bulls fans would definitely be extremely upset if Caruso were traded, a factor that could make Karnišovas hesitate before making a decision. They don't want to be booed during a future Ring of Honor ceremony.
Perhaps Karnišovas will make a less flashy move, such as selling high on center Andre Drummond, whose 19 rebounds per 36 minutes is by far the best in the league. Drummond’s work ethic and consistent performance in a backup role to Nikola Vučević has made him one of Karnišovas’s most underappreciated signings.
The emergence of White since LaVine first was sidelined Dec. 6 with inflammation on the exterior of his right foot makes Karnišovas’s deadline decisions that much more difficult to make. Perhaps for the first time since January 2022, before Lonzo Ball’s injury ended their chance at contending and started the Bulls on the treadmill of mediocrity, they’re once again fun to watch.
While still inconsistent, White has become a confirmed star. He has averaged career highs in scoring (18.6 points), assists (4.9), 3-point shooting percentage (.397) and field-goal percentage (.454) while coming up in the clutch when given the opportunity from DeRozan. White has already recorded 19 games of 20 or more points, a career high with almost a half-season remaining.
Let’s acknowledge LaVine. His willingness to adjust his game since he returned — taking fewer shots, passing the ball and supporting White on and off the court — shows he’s not a sulking star just waiting to leave town.
But as much as the Bulls appreciate his unselfishness, LaVine probably needs to become more aggressive offensively when he returns for the Bulls to succeed. He’s still a star and has been one of the team leaders for six seasons, through thick and thin, setting an example for the kids.
However, in the three seasons of the LaVine-DeRozan-Vučević era, the Bulls have been consistently inconsistent. Through it all, Karnišovas has remained optimistic, and the recent stretch suggests he still might be right in the long run.
But the clock is ticking on this team — and maybe on this era.
Nothing lasts forever.
What’s happening in Artūras Karnišovas’s mind could determine the destiny of the Chicago Bulls for the next several seasons. But the Bulls boss has been at a standstill, waiting in vain for a trade market for Zach LaVine to develop and watching his team make gradual improvement in the Eastern Conference race. After Saturday’s 125-96 victory against the…
Still, in the three seasons of the LaVine-DeRozan-Vučević era, the Bulls have been consistently inconsistent. Through it all, Karnišovas has kept the faith, and the latest stretch suggests he still might be right in the long run.
But the clock is ticking on this team — and maybe on this era.
Nothing lasts forever.
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