The Chicago Bulls are stuck in a holding pattern - not bad enough to bottom out, not good enough to contend. It’s the kind of NBA middle ground that can stretch on for years if leadership doesn’t make bold, strategic changes.
And right now, the Bulls’ front office under Artūras Karnišovas hasn’t shown signs of breaking that cycle. That’s why a name like Calvin Booth is starting to pop up as a potential game-changer for the franchise.
Booth’s resume speaks for itself. Most recently the general manager of the Denver Nuggets, he played a key role in constructing their 2023 championship roster.
His tenure in Denver wasn’t without turbulence - he and head coach Michael Malone reportedly didn’t see eye to eye, and both were let go late last season. But the body of work Booth leaves behind is hard to ignore.
He helped shape a team that not only won it all but did so with a sustainable core and smart roster construction.
Let’s be clear: having Nikola Jokić as your franchise cornerstone makes life easier for any GM. But Booth didn’t just ride the coattails of a generational talent.
He made the right moves around his superstar - and that’s where his value really shines. The 2021 trade for Aaron Gordon was a turning point for Denver.
Gordon’s fit alongside Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. gave the Nuggets the defensive versatility and offensive balance they needed to get over the hump.
Booth also showed a sharp eye for young talent. Players like Peyton Watson, who Booth drafted with the 30th overall pick in 2022, are now blossoming into key contributors.
Watson’s recent breakout - including earning Western Conference Player of the Week honors - is a testament to Booth’s long-term vision. He wasn’t just drafting for upside; he was drafting for fit, development trajectory, and team culture.
That kind of foresight is exactly what Chicago is missing right now. The Bulls don’t have the luxury of a top-tier superstar to build around, and they’re not positioned to land one in the draft anytime soon unless they bottom out.
But Booth has shown he can find value late in the draft and develop it. That’s the blueprint the Bulls need to follow if they want to escape the treadmill of mediocrity.
Chicago’s current roster is a mix of aging veterans, inconsistent young players, and contracts that don’t offer much flexibility. It’s a tough spot, but not an impossible one - especially with the right architect in place.
Booth has already proven he can navigate that kind of challenge. He knows how to build through smart trades, savvy free-agent signings, and a long-term development plan.
The Bulls’ path forward isn’t obvious. They’ve been hovering around the play-in for years, never quite bottoming out, never quite breaking through.
But if they want to change that narrative, it starts at the top. Bringing in a proven talent evaluator and roster builder like Calvin Booth could be the first step toward a real reset - one that prioritizes long-term success over short-term survival.
This isn’t about chasing a miracle. It’s about bringing in a basketball mind who’s shown he can create a winning culture from the ground up.
Booth’s track record in Denver proves he can do it. The question now is whether the Bulls are ready to make the kind of bold move that could finally get them out of NBA limbo.