Rumors

Before the firing of executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley last week, the Sun-Times was reporting that Donovan was likely gone. How gone? Put it at a solid 90%. In the wake of those front office changes, it felt like it dropped to 49% gone.

Chicago Sun-Times

Following the firings of former Bulls executives Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, the franchise remains steadfast in wanting to retain head coach Billy Donovan, but the ball is in his court regarding his future in Chicago, league sources told HoopsHype. However, with many around the league closely monitoring what the Orlando Magic will do with current coach Jamahl Mosley, it’s a potential option worth looking at for Donovan. Of course, Donovan was once hired by the Magic in 2007 only to back out of the job days later and return to the University of Florida. Several other coaching openings are expected and noted in this story to monitor. Additionally, the playoffs could dictate another couple of openings.

HoopsHype

KC Johnson: Matas Buzelis said he called Billy Donovan after dismissals of Arturas Karnišovas and Marc Eversley to address Donovan’s future: “I want him to stay. I’m riding with him forever. He’s a cornerstone for my career.”

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KC Johnson: Billy Donovan thanks Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley for bringing him to Chicago and reiterates how much he values his relationship with ownership. As for next Monday's meeting, he is consistent: Needs to see path/plan forward before making his decision. Donovan: "I want to win at a high level. I think the organization deserves that."

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KC Johnson: Heard from multiple people that one of first things Arturas Karnisovas said after learning he and Marc Eversley had been let go was check to see if his assistant general managers Pat Connelly and JJ Polk were safe. Says a lot about a side of AK he didn't show a lot but is there.

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KC Johnson: Reinsdorf said "it's simply not true" that Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley received contract extensions and adds "we don't ever talk about contract lengths."

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​​So while change was swift with a week remaining in the regular season, team sources said ownership had been mulling the change for weeks, especially in the aftermath of the team's dismissal of Jaden Ivey and questions about whether the Bulls did enough homework before acquiring him last February, team sources told ESPN.

ESPN

Team sources described a "growing disconnect" between the front office and the rest of the franchise, with several people across the organization unsure about the direction of the team after a surprising trade deadline. "People didn't know the plan," one team source told ESPN on Monday. "They didn't know the process. We needed to move on -- with a clean slate and start this thing over."

ESPN

According to a source, both were on thin ice heading into the trade deadline back in February, with concerns over the immediate direction of the organization. The embarrassment of the Jaden Ivey incident was the final straw, leaving the Reinsdorfs no choice but to move on after six-plus seasons.

Chicago Sun-Times

Jake Fischer: After dismissing Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley, sources say Chicago very much hopes to retain head coach Billy Donovan, who remains under contract with the Bulls. Although, with Michael Malone off to UNC, Donovan will be a veteran head coach other NBA teams surely covet for jobs that may and will open shortly. More NBA personnel notes @TheSteinLine here: http://tinyurl.com/4cvpsj9j

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Shams Charania: BREAKING: The Chicago Bulls have dismissed executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, sources tell ESPN.

Twitter

Shams Charania: Since hiring Karnisovas to head basketball operations in 2020, the Bulls went 224-254, made one playoff appearance, and are now missing the postseason for the fourth straight season. Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf decided Monday to make a change to the team’s basketball direction.

Twitter

Chicago Bulls: The Chicago Bulls announced today that Artūras Karnišovas, Executive Vice President - Basketball Operations and Marc Eversley, General Manager have been relieved of their positions.

Twitter

Back on Jan. 15, the Sun-Times reported that Bulls ownership was finally putting pressure on executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas to not only pick a lane but get this roster moving in some sort of positive direction. If that meant one step back to eventually take two steps forward, so be it. Up to that point, the mentality from the Reinsdorfs was very hands off. In their eyes it was Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley who made the mess, and it was on them to fix it. Less than three months later the stakes have changed. Now, ownership is weighing if the mess has gotten too large for them to fix, and according to a source everything is on the table in the next 10 days.

Chicago Sun-Times