With their franchise at a crossroads, it’s hard to believe the Chicago Bulls don’t know which direction they’ll take in free agency.
In a league in which new player contracts annually get announced the second free agency opens — which recently got the Bulls docked a second-round draft pick after the NBA investigated their acquisition of Lonzo Ball — executives are armed with plenty of intel well in advance.
But Artūras Karnišovas, the Bulls chief basketball executive, after selecting 19-year-old forward Matas Buzelis with the 11th pick in Wednesday’s draft, deflected all questions about what path the Bulls are on.
“You prepare yourself, but you just don’t know who’s going to be available in free agency,” Karnišovas said. “Once we know that, we’ll be able to tell more.”
That didn’t stop Karnišovas from making a promise to Bulls fans.
“I take my role of reshaping this team very seriously, and tonight was an important step in that direction,” he said. “As I’ve said, everything is on the table. I want fans to know we are committed to the process of building a team for long-term success. We’ve made some initial changes this offseason, and now our focus shifts on Friday to free agency.
“We can’t predict exactly what’s going to happen, but we’re determined to strengthen our roster.”
Karnišovas read from a lengthy, typed statement that helped keep his thoughts together and his message on brand. One couldn’t help but decode his choice of words. Three phrases stood out.
Everything is on the table. Long-term success. Initial changes.
With those remarks as the backdrop, keep an eye on the Bulls as one of the NBA’s biggest wild cards in free agency.
Chicago already kicked started this summer’s frenzy by swapping Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey last week. Although he was widely criticized for not securing draft capital from the asset-rich Oklahoma City Thunder, Karnišovas said he didn’t require any.
“Bringing a very talented guard that is an elite playmaker and rebounder with elite size, his game is predicated on making everyone better around him, those guys are hard to find and they’re not available,” Karnišovas said. “We were fortunate to get him. And it comes at a high price, which was A.C.”
Asked specifically about not acquiring draft capital in a Caruso deal twice later in his 17-minute news conference, Karnišovas said he thought the Bulls paid a fair price for a 21-year-old player with experience and promise.
“I feel that this deal was fair,” Karnišovas said. “Both sides got what they wanted.”
Caruso’s signing has been the best transaction of Karnišovas’ choppy four-year tenure. The second is DeMar DeRozan — and now it’s time for both sides to quit bluffing and show their hands.
DeRozan is an unrestricted free agent who has repeatedly expressed his desire to return to Chicago. But his age, style of play and desired salary might no longer align with the Bulls’ plans. He holds the key to the Bulls’ future. Retaining him will be expensive and, with Giddey, a clunky fit due to concerns with defense and perimeter shooting. A sign-and-trade suddenly could be in the cards. Then there’s the dreaded possibility of letting him walk without recouping anything in return.
Asked if he’s still confident the Bulls will re-sign DeRozan and whether the organization still wants to, Karnišovas deflected.
“As I said also before, we’re going to look at everything,” he said. “Everything is on the table. It’s still an option.”
After the Caruso-Giddey swap, it’s become easier to see the Bulls, finally, becoming younger and more athletic. Giddey joins Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Dalen Terry, Julian Phillips, Buzelis and restricted free agent Patrick Williams as a strong core of players all younger than 25.
Buzelis is a 6-foot-9 small forward who played for the G League’s Ignite team last season, averaging 14.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. The Chicago native was emotional after being selected.
“This is what I wanted. I wanted to be here,” Buzelis said in his TV interview. “Thanks to the Bulls organization. I’m ready to work, I was born for this. Thanks to everyone who doubted me.”
Matas Buzelis is selected 11th overall by the @chicagobulls in the 2024 #NBADraft presented by State Farm!
Watch on ABC & ESPN. pic.twitter.com/6Q1MfhZ8Gz
— NBA (@NBA) June 27, 2024
The Bulls could add another lottery pick next year in what is considered to be a strong draft class if they retain their top-10 protected selection. If the Bulls fall out of the top 10 next season, they must convey their pick to the San Antonio Spurs as part of the DeRozan deal.
That tidbit alone might entice the Bulls with enough incentive to say goodbye to DeRozan and thank him for his services, as Karnišovas did for Caruso. But of course, Karnišovas can’t announce plans to tank at a news conference.
“I don’t think our plans for next year are going to be impacted by our pick,” Karnišovas said.
So far, the course the Bulls are charting feels like the start of something new and fresh.
Yet with familiar faces like Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball still under contract, the Bulls have a summer full of critical decisions ahead.
And if you listened closely to Karnišovas on Wednesday night, it became clear the Bulls are open for business.
(Photo of Matas Buzelis: Kamil Krzaczynski / NBAE via Getty Images)
