Bulls begin interviews for new top executive
Interviews are underway for the Bulls' new head of basketball operations.
The first video interview was Utah general manager Justin Zanik on Monday, according to a report by ESPN. Denver general manager Arturas Karnisovas is expected to interview later this week.
Meanwhile, a couple of candidates have backed out of the process, Indiana general manager Chad Buchanan and Miami assistant GM Adam Simon both declined to speak to the Bulls. There are questions about whether Toronto will allow general manager Bobby Webster to interview in Chicago.
Zanik is a Northwestern graduate who spent 15 years as a player agent for Chicago-based Priority Sports, working under renowned agent Mark Bartelstein, and ASM. Zanik joined the Jazz as assistant general manager in 2013, briefly worked for the Milwaukee Bucks, then returned to Utah and earned a promotion. He reportedly interviewed with the Philadelphia 76ers last summer.
Karnisovas, 48, is a native of Lithuania who played college basketball at Seton Hall. When his playing career ended, he worked as an international scout for the Houston Rockets before joining the Nuggets in 2013 and was promoted to general manager in 2017.
The Bulls are likely to interview more candidates. If they are not granted permission to talk to Webster, they might try Raptors assistant GM Dan Tolzman, who is often credited for helping stock Toronto's G-League affiliate with players who developed into NBA players.
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