This is the “glimpse of the future.”
That’s the term Arturas Karnisovas used the last time he spoke to the media when discussing the way the Bulls closed out the 2024-25 campaign with a 15-5 record, and how the executive vice president of basketball operations thought that would have legs going into this season.
Like he has far too often in his exec chair, however, he was wrong.
Even with impressive back-to-back showing by the offense this week against undermanned opponents, the Bulls are a 21-22 product, residing in play-in game territory yet again, and doing so with the Feb. 5 trade deadline bearing down on the Association.
And as far as that “glimpse of the future,” it is playing out to be more of a mirage, as Karnisovas was counting on a jump in the standings and a roster that gave him options. The jump is more of déjà vu from seasons past, while the options have dried up a bit because of injuries and inconsistencies.
“We have flexibility as we have many players going into free agency next year,” Karnisovas continued. “We will be able to evaluate long-term fits while staying competitive.”
Again, not exactly playing out like Karnisovas thought. Yes, there are six free agents – possibly seven with Dalen Terry’s rookie deal expiring – so financial flexibility will be found, but the days of having a bag full of cash and taking it to the free-agent store are over.
Most teams lock up their homegrown talent and then use sign-and-trades to move outgoing free agents. That route is always a possibility and viable, but it also requires Karnisovas to be creative, which hasn’t exactly been his strong suit in his tenure.
The real gut-punch in all of this? The Bulls continue to be the model of how not to conduct the business of basketball, especially the last two years.
At this point in the season in 2024, the Bulls were sitting at No. 9 in the East, while a team like Toronto was five games behind them and Detroit was residing in the basement. Fast forward to the now and the Raptors are currently the No. 4 seed while the Pistons are a conference-best 31-10.
Last year at this point, the Bulls were in the No. 10 spot, while injured and tanking Philadelphia was behind them. The 76ers now sit at 23-19, and the one season dip allowed them to grab standout 20-year-old rookie VJ Edgecombe and team him with the face of the franchise in All-Star Tyrese Maxey.
Memo to Karnisovas: Take a look in the rearview mirror and be prepared to again pullover quickly because there are several more teams poised to pass the stagnant Bulls moving forward.
Atlanta – Unlike the Bulls, the Hawks have finally come to their senses in understanding draft capital, fleecing New Orleans on draft night in the Derik Queen trade, while also getting out from underneath the Trae Young contract to free up $71 million for the summer.
What that means is Atlanta could hit lottery gold with a Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer or an AJ Dybantsa, have the rights to Cleveland’s first-round pick, have a budding star in Jalen Johnson, and money to add.
Charlotte – The LaMelo Ball contract is still an albatross on the franchise, but if they can somehow move the talented and unserious point guard and focus on building around Brandon Miller and rookie Kon Knueppel, it won’t take long for the Hornets to lap the Bulls.
One more dip into this talented ’26 draft class might be just what the doctor ordered for Charlotte to put an end to being a laughingstock.
Indiana – Enjoy the down year for a Pacers team that was in the NBA Finals last season. Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tear might become a blessing, as the core is locked up through the 2027-28 campaign and they are expected to add another very talented piece currently sitting in the top three of the lottery.
Haliburton, Boozer and Pascal Siakam, anyone?
