Chicago Bulls (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The search for a new executive is on for the Chicago Bulls, and already the options appear to be dwindling for the front office.
Just a couple of days ago, the search was on for a new executive within the Chicago Bulls front office. Finally, fans were getting what they had asked, for what seemed like forever now. No longer would “GarPax” be a thing.
Hold the phone, because Gar Forman and John Paxson may still both be employed by the Bulls even after a new executive is hired. Paxson, first of all, has stated he will work in whatever role the Bulls decide is best for him, per NBC Sports’ K.C. Johnson. Forman, on the other hand, may or may not stick around depending on the direction the new executive decides to take.
Still, this shakeup is a long time coming. The Bulls have put their fans and the city of Chicago through some dark times recently, and it’s no wonder they can’t attract even a remotely large free agent each summer. The stage has been set by Paxson and Forman for a while, and after committing to head coach Jim Boylen, who would want to come play for the Bulls?
Well, as the search rolls on for a new executive (who will have all the power in terms of basketball decisions, by the way) the Bulls are already seeing their prospective pool of candidates dwindle. One of the first names linked to the job was Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan.
Within hours of his name being on the radar, Buchanan decided he was going to stay put with the Pacers. Now, whether that’s purely a sign of loyalty or indicative of just how bad the Bulls’ situation is organizationally remains to be seen. I think it could be a little bit of both, personally.
So, Buchanan is off the list and it’s on to the next candidates. As reported by a few outlets, those candidates include: Miami Heat vice president and assistant general manager Adam Simon, Denver Nuggets general manager Arturas Karnisovas and Toronto Raptors general manager Bobby Webster.
I think it’s fair to say that most fans will be fine with anyone not named Paxson or Forman at this point. At least, that’s where my head is at. It’s time to get a fresh face in the building with a new direction and, hopefully, the team can start to turn the corner once things return to normal in the sports world.