The Bulls Are Stuck in Neutral - and Artūras Karnišovas Is Running Out of Road
It’s been nearly six years since Artūras Karnišovas took the reins of the Chicago Bulls’ front office, and for a fanbase that’s been craving progress, the results have been more frustrating than fulfilling. While Jerry Reinsdorf remains the ultimate decision-maker in Chicago, Karnišovas has had full control of basketball operations since 2020 - and the track record under his leadership is hard to defend.
Let’s dig into what’s gone wrong, why the Bulls are stuck in a cycle of mediocrity, and what it all means for Karnišovas as the clock ticks on his tenure.
Draft Misfires and Missed Opportunities
When Karnišovas arrived from Denver, he carried the reputation of a front office architect who helped build a contender around Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray. Bulls fans hoped that same vision would translate in Chicago. But from the jump, the draft has been a sore spot.
His first major decision came in 2020, with the Bulls holding the No. 4 overall pick. That selection turned into Patrick Williams - a player with undeniable physical tools and defensive upside, but one who hasn’t developed into the kind of difference-maker you expect at that spot.
Four seasons in, Williams has yet to earn an All-Star nod, All-NBA mention, or any major individual accolades. His career averages - hovering around 10 points and 4 rebounds per game - paint the picture of a solid role player, not a franchise cornerstone. And the shooting percentages have dipped each year, with his fifth season seeing him shoot under 40% from the field.
What stings even more is who came after him. Players like Desmond Bane and Deni Avdija have already carved out significant roles on playoff-caliber teams, with All-Star and All-NBA buzz surrounding them.
Tre Jones - selected 41st overall that same night - is arguably a better fit for the Bulls right now than Williams. And he was there for the taking.
To make matters worse, Chicago hasn’t had a top-10 pick since. Two of those potential lottery selections - the 6th and 8th picks - were sent to Orlando in a deal that continues to haunt the franchise.
The Vucevic Trade: A Turning Point That Went Sideways
That trade, of course, was for Nikola Vucevic. It was Karnišovas’ first big swing at the trade deadline in 2021, and at the time, it looked like a bold move to push the Bulls into playoff contention. But hindsight hasn’t been kind.
Chicago gave up Wendell Carter Jr. and two top-eight picks - assets that have since helped fuel Orlando’s rise - for a player who hasn’t made an All-Star team since arriving. Vucevic has been productive, but not transformative. And in a league where stars drive success, the Bulls sacrificed future flexibility for a short-term boost that never materialized.
Even more concerning? After that move, Karnišovas essentially went radio silent on the trade front.
For nearly 900 days - the longest drought in the league - the Bulls made no deals. In a league that rewards adaptability and aggressiveness, that kind of stagnation is hard to justify.
Mediocrity by the Numbers
Let’s talk results. Since Karnišovas took over, the Bulls have compiled a 206-224 record - a 47.9% win rate. There’s been just one playoff appearance and a single postseason win to show for it.
For context, John Paxson - who ran the team prior to Karnišovas - had a similar winning percentage over his final six years, but made the playoffs four times. Only one other executive in Bulls history has coached through 400 games with a sub-.500 record and not been let go before year six. Karnišovas is now in that sixth year.
Meanwhile, the Bulls’ All-Star representation has been minimal. Over five seasons, they’ve had just four All-Star appearances and one All-NBA selection. That’s the same number of All-Star nods produced by players drafted after Patrick Williams in 2020 - and more could be coming from that group soon.
Roster Construction and Contract Woes
Another major criticism of Karnišovas’ regime has been the financial commitment to a core that hasn’t delivered. The Bulls handed out massive extensions to Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic - deals that have limited the team’s flexibility and made it difficult to add high-end talent.
LaVine, in particular, has been the subject of trade rumors for months, but Chicago has yet to pull the trigger on a deal. The same goes for DeMar DeRozan.
Both are valuable players, but the longer the Bulls wait, the more their trade value may diminish. The front office’s reluctance to act has left the team in a holding pattern - not good enough to contend, not bad enough to rebuild.
The coaching situation hasn’t helped either. Billy Donovan remains at the helm despite growing questions about his fit with this roster. Stability is important, but so is accountability - and the Bulls have lacked both when it comes to evaluating their coaching direction.
Then there’s the 2024 draft. With a chance to add a meaningful piece, the Bulls selected Noa Essengue over Derik Queen - a move that raised eyebrows around the league. Time will tell on that one, but early signs haven’t been promising.
What Comes Next?
As the 2026 trade deadline approaches, all eyes are on Karnišovas. With his job potentially on the line, will he finally break the silence and make a bold move? Or will the Bulls ride out yet another season of middling results?
The fanbase is restless. The roster is stagnant. And the clock is ticking.
For Karnišovas, this isn’t just about saving a season - it’s about proving he can build a team that does more than hover around .500. The Bulls have spent too long in basketball purgatory. If there’s no meaningful change soon, ownership may decide it’s time to hand the keys to someone else.