Where should Chicago Bulls go after zach avalanche -trading? It’s a good question

Four days after trading in the team’s best player, Chicago Bulls Chief Basketball Executive Artūras Karnišovas could still not offer a clear vision for the direction of the franchise.

“We may have a high draft election or we may be in the game (tournament),” Karnišovas said after Thursday’s NBA trading deadline. “We may be in the playoffs.”

A team rarely has such a number of options – and even more rarely do not know the direction it goes with 30 games left.

Karnišovas was asked if a third consecutive play-in look was worth not securing a higher choice in this year’s draft.

“It’s worth it to me,” Karnišovas said.

In one day, he could have revived his frustrated fanbase with a strong leader of leadership Karnišovas provided essentially control of a big one, “We’ll see what happens.”

Bulls did nothing on the trading front to follow their blockbuster, three -team agreement that sent Zach Lavine to Sacramento Kings. Instead, they signed Lonzo Ball for a two-year extension of $ 20 million with a team opportunity for the second season. Ball’s Feel-Good comeback story continues in Chicago, but his deal adds more complexity, if not confusion, to Bulls’ building plans.

“Changes had to be made,” Karnišovas said, “and we take the opportunity to learn, turn and take the necessary steps to reshape our team. I know fans want specific plans and we map that path now. We are not done yet. We are in a transitional phase and there is more to come. “

If Thursday’s Deadline was any indication, Bulls are for a slow, uninspiring reconstruction.

“This is where the plan stands,” Karnišovas said. “We commit to building a sustainable, competitive team. We are not okay to be in the middle. It can be a long process and sometimes it takes to take a step back before it goes on. Our commitment to (the championship) goals has not changed.

“This will take some time to fully unfold, but we have already made a significant shift.”

Given the Bulls State, a franchise with only one playoff victory in the last seven seasons, it is natural for observers to wonder if they could have achieved more.

Startingcenter Nikola Vučević, 34, plays some of the best basketball in his career and has only one year left on his contract. Bulls no longer need him – especially after acquiring Zach Collins as part of the avalanche Deal – and could have moved him to the highest bidder. Coby White will also be in the last year of his contract next season, and Bulls has to decide if he is worthy of a big increase. Ball and Ayo Dosunmu also had commercial value.

“We openly appreciate draft compensation and young players and then flexibility, I think, in that order,” Karnišovas said. “But we have nine players who are between 20 and 25 years (years old). I think you need a real mix of players to grow. You can’t just roll out young players and think they will develop on their own. You need the right veterinarians and experienced guys to be together, and I see in that Vooch and keep Zo in that kind of role. “

Instead of fielding a team of more stars, Karnišovas said that Bulls will now be built to be a deep watch list with almost a dozen talented players that can contribute.

“More and more teams are doing it,” he said. “Three and a half years ago we tried to put together the team that came out pretty well, but we skipped steps and tried to speed up the process. I think right now we have an opportunity here to play it slower and evaluate our young guys. “

Two days after the Bulls coach Billy Donovan said he is open to coaching a reconstruction, praised Karnišova’s Donovan for what he has done this season.

“I thought Billy did a good job this year to get buy-in from our veterinarians and our young guys for how we want to play,” Karnišovas said. “We were pretty consistent with pace, driving the floor and shooting 3s. We made great adjustments to our playing style this year and we will continue to adapt as needed.

“Billy is a good coach to work with and is always susceptible to feedback and conversation. Billy and I are constantly discussing things we need to improve, like turns, reducing points for second chance. Billy, like all coaches, is driven to win and recognize the importance of developing our young players. He does a good job of trying to balance it. “

Karnišovas also approached long-facing Bulls fans, as if he is well aware of the arrows aimed at him.

“To our fans, I work tirelessly to put this team in place for long -term success,” he said. “I constantly evaluate opportunities, make tough decisions and remain proactive in the design of the guard plan. Each movement is carefully considered with a goal of building a competitive and sustainable future.

“While the process takes time and I know it is sometimes frustrating to me, my dedication is to improve the team of the utmost importance. I know where the responsibility lands and I am obliged to make the right decisions to raise this team. “

(Photo by Artūras Karnišovas: Michael Reaves / Getty Images)