The Chicago Bulls announced on Monday the firing of VP Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley. They were dismissed exactly a week after the team waived Jaden Ivey for controversial anti-gay and religious comments on social media.
Fans roast Chicago’s decision to start the next season with a new set of top executives. One fan wrote:
“Ivey having a manic episode is the best thing that’s happened to this franchise!!!! LETS GOOOOOO!”
Another fan added:
“You’re a joke of a franchise, and you deserve to continue failing.”
One more fan continued:
“Firing Arturas and Marc is just changing the oil on a car with no engine.”
Another fan commented:
“Did they not like Pride Nights either?”
One fan tweeted:
“Bring back Jaden.”
Multiple players, such as All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, pushed back against Jaden Ivey’s exit from Chicago. Ivey called the team officials liars for citing “conduct detrimental to the team” as the reason behind his release. The combo guard insisted that his stance against the NBA’s celebration of Pride Month was the reason the franchise cut ties with him.
Chicago, not known for making top executive decisions, likely axed Karnisovas and Eversley not just for the fallout of the Ivey release. The Bulls have made the playoffs just once since Karnisovas and Eversley became the vice president and general manager, respectively, in the 2020-21 season.
Under Karnisovas, the team’s best showing was the 2021-22 season, when it finished with a 46-36 record. Behind Nikola Vucevic, Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan, players whom the Lithuanian brought to reinforce the team, Chicago finished with the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite the pricey additions, the Bulls lost in the first round to Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. None of Karnisovas’ marquee signings in the first two years are still with the team, which is headed to another draft lottery.
Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley, whom Karsinovas acquired via a three-team trade in February, are also out of Chicago.
Keeping Billy Donovan Is Bulls’ Top Priority
The Bulls hired Billy Donovan to coach the team during the same season they brought in Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley. Without the dismissed executives, Chicago is making Donovan its top priority, according to a report.
“(Firing Karnisovas and Eversley) cleared the way for a scheduled sit-down between (team owner) Reinsdorf and Donovan, whom the organization wants to keep at almost any cost. If that includes allowing Donovan to help build the new front office or even add a front-office title to his, so be it.”
Donovan signed a multi-year extension with the Bulls in July 2025. Still, interest in the 60-year-old coach will be high, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer. North Carolina reportedly wanted him before the Tar Heels signed former Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone on Monday.
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