Bulls eye multiple execs for top job after Karnisovas firing

The Chicago Bulls are interviewing several executives to fill their head of basketball operations vacancy

Bulls Get Permission to Interview Execs The Chicago Bulls have started the process of finding their new head of basketball operations, and have been given clearance to speak with several high-profile executives. Timberwolves GM Matt Lloyd, Pistons senior vice president Dennis Lindsey, Hawks senior vice president Bryson Graham, Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey, and Spurs assistant GM Dave Telep are all on the list of potential candidates. Additionally, the Bulls are expected to interview Austin Brown, the co-head of CAA's basketball division. ## Interviews to Begin This Week Sources indicate that the interviews for the top job are expected to begin this week, with the team aiming to hire their new decision-maker just before or just after the mid-May draft combine. The Bulls made sweeping front office changes two weeks ago, firing executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley after a six-year run that produced just one playoff appearance. ## Reinsdorf Emphasizes Importance of Keeping Donovan Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf has made it clear that the franchise wants to keep head coach Billy Donovan under any circumstance. 'If I interview someone and they're not sold on Billy, they're not sold on a Hall of Fame coach; they're not sold on a person who's won championships in college, who's gone deep in the playoffs with Oklahoma City,' Reinsdorf said. Donovan later responded by saying he's not reading into the endorsement, stating that Reinsdorf was making a point about his own feelings towards him. ## New GM Must be Sold on Donovan Reinsdorf emphasized that the new general manager must be sold on keeping Donovan as the head coach. 'If Billy wants to be our coach and someone's not interested in that, then they're probably not the right candidate for us,' Reinsdorf said. This indicates that the Bulls are looking for someone who shares their commitment to keeping Donovan at the helm. ## List of Potential Candidates The Bulls have compiled a list of candidates with a wide range of experience around the league. The list includes Matt Lloyd, who spent 17 years in Chicago in various basketball operations and scouting roles before serving as assistant GM of the Orlando Magic. Dennis Lindsey has 30 years of front office and scouting experience, including 11 seasons with the Utah Jazz and a year as senior adviser for the Dallas Mavericks. Bryson Graham has been with the Hawks for 15 seasons, rising from an intern to general manager. Mike Gansey has been the Cavaliers GM since February 2022, and Dave Telep has been with the Spurs for 13 seasons in various roles. ## Austin Brown, CAA's Co-Head of Basketball Division The Bulls are also expected to speak with Austin Brown, the co-head of CAA's basketball division. Brown has been offered multiple front office roles in recent years, and currently represents notable NBA players such as Donovan Mitchell, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cooper Flagg, Trae Young, and OG Anunoby. He was also offered the GM position by the Bulls under Karnisovas during their 2020 process, sources said.