Bulls insider pins the blame for the team's woes on VP: "This is squarely on Arturas Karnisovas"

Is VP Arturas Karnisovas the biggest factor in the Chicago Bulls' struggles?

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

There’s plenty of blame to go around inside the Chicago Bulls organization in the wake of their awful 5-10 start to the season. One could look at the lack of development in Patrick Williams’ game or the subpar showings of wingmen DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. The Bulls faithful can also point to coach Billy Donovan for failing to get the team to play with more force in the first halves of games.

Ultimately, though, the blame for the team’s early season struggles rests with the vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas, said The Athletic’s Bulls insider Darnell Mayberry.

Doubled down on the roster

The Bulls’ front office had every opportunity to push the reset button on a roster that underwhelmed last season and failed to make the NBA Playoffs. Not only did Chicago decide not to do that, but the franchise also doubled down on the same core by re-signing veteran big man Nikola Vucevic to a multi-year deal and keeping wingman DeMar DeRozan, who’s playing in the final year of his contract and may walk away from the team next summer.

“Most teams’ decision-makers search for solutions when it becomes clear their product isn’t working. But the Bulls just keep bumbling along, hoping time will heal their woefulness. News flash: It won’t,” Mayberry wrote.

“This is squarely on Arturas Karnisovas. The only question left for the executive vice president of basketball operations is how much longer he will give it.”

Zach LaVine made that look tooooooo easy.@NBCSChicago | @ZachLaVine pic.twitter.com/Eh7LIJOM1d

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 21, 2023

Continuity plan has backfired

There’s no doubt that the Bulls have talented and experienced players. Their “Big 3” has All-Star and postseason experience while their young players like Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White definitely have potential. However, the numbers show that this group isn’t clicking—the Bulls’ net rating is negative, ranking 22nd in the NBA.

“Critics can point to Donovan’s coaching or bemoan the players’ limitations. But Karnisovas and his staff assembled this roster, then dared to double down by running it back this season,” Mayberry added.

“Little else has worked, and with each passing contest, it doesn’t appear to be headed in the right direction.”

Coby doing work 🏹@NBCSChicago | @CobyWhite pic.twitter.com/03Laey5tg7

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 21, 2023

What we learned from the Chicago Bulls 118-100 loss to the Miami Heat