Someone Finally Says What Everyone Is Thinking About The Bulls’ Front Office

Fans in Chicago have had a frustrating five-year stretch. In that time, they’ve witnessed the team win only one game in its lone postseason appearance, finish between the eighth and tenth seeds three years in a row, and have a .500 record over four seasons. Botching a blockbuster trade for Nikola Vucevic, extending and failing to trade Zach LaVine at his peak value, drafting and extending Patrick Williams, and holding onto Billy Donovan and Arturas Karnisovas have been the most significant factors in the misery. For the first three months of the season, many grew hopeful that the franchise had finally reached a crossroads where they’d either have to go all-in on a superstar or fire-sell assets for future capital. With seven expiring contracts at the end of the year, a loaded 2026 NBA Draft class, and $90 million in cap space freeing up this summer, any front office would be excited at the opportunity to maximize their potential with a perfect toolbox for change. As SB Nation’s Ricky O’Donnell said last night, the Bulls are unfortunately not taking advantage of the most flexible turning point chance the organization has had in a decade.

Stuck In Mediocrity

At this point, the best guess for why the Chicago Bulls refuse to make splash moves in either direction, contention or lottery draft positioning, has to be ownership’s content mindset toward making money. The franchise consistently leads the league in attendance and ranks in the top tier of revenue, and with one of the largest markets in sports, that’s unlikely to ever change. Jerry Reinsdorf hasn’t pressed for change because the organization is turning a profit each year, and any polarizing moves could jeopardize the steady stream of income. This couldn’t have been summed up better than O’Donnell did in this tweet last night.

A good GM would make the Bulls a fascinating trade deadline team with $90 million in expiring contracts but of course they're led by a man who believes the No. 8 seed in the East is the highest possible form of achievement so that is impossible

— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) January 29, 2026

With the team’s closest sources saying they’ve backed off on selling several players, like Nikola Vucevic and Ayo Dosunmu, and claiming that Coby White might not be traded if the offer doesn’t meet Arturas Karnisovas’s high price tag, the dumpster fire continues. If White isn’t traded at the deadline, he likely walks in free agency with no return. This wouldn’t be the first time Karnisovas has failed to net any return for expiring assets before they depart.

Failing On His Promise

The most confusing part of AK still having a job in Chicago is his failure to uphold the promises he made to the fanbase. In every single presser, he emphasizes that they are not content with mediocrity, will always prioritize winning basketball, and is more excited with an NBA Play-In tournament loss than a late-season tank for better draft positioning. In any sport, failing to make a title run or draft in the top ten is considered a nonproductive season. Unfortunately for all of Chicago, this has been the case for the last four years.

Lou Williams on the Chicago Bulls:

"Trade everyone…blow this thing up. … This ain't it. We're looking at 4-straight seasons of the play-in."@MichelleDBeadle | @ChandlerParsons | @TeamLou23 pic.twitter.com/mkCEMSTGYj

— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) January 27, 2026

Artūras Karnišovas on asking fans for patience:

"I'm asking fans for patience because we're in first year of that transition. I thought that the way we finished the year shows some promise… To finish 15-5 isn't a victory lap, but I think there are some positives." pic.twitter.com/M4a4Q4X8jU

— Bulls on CHSN (@CHSN_Bulls) April 17, 2025

Asking for patience and continually preaching that the team is making strides, even after one playoff win in six seasons, is bold work. The clock is ticking on Karnisovas, and this trade deadline may be his last if mishandled once again.