Where do the Chicago Bulls go after trading with Zach Lavine? This is a good question

Four days after trading with the best player in the team, the Chief Basketball Manager from Chicago Bulls Artūras Karnišovas was still unable to offer a clear vision for the direction of the franchise.

“We could get a high draft pick, or we could be in the game (tournament),” said Karnišovas after the NBA trade period on Thursday. “We could be in the playoffs.”

A team rarely has such a series of possibilities – and even less often it does not know in the direction with 30 remaining games.

Karnišovas was asked whether a third game in a row had granted a higher selection in this year’s draft.

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

In one day he would have had his frustrated fan base with a strong search for leadership, Karnišovas, with a big “we see what happens”, essentially exceeded control.

The bulls did nothing on the trading front to send Zach Lavine to the Sacramento kings on their blockbuster, three-team deal. Instead, they signed Lonzo Ball for a two-year extension of $ 20 million with a team option for the second season. Ball’s Feelg comeback story continues in Chicago, but his deal gives the bulls of bulls more complexity, if not confusion.

“Changes had to be made,” said Karnišovas, “and we take the opportunity to learn the team, to pivot and take the necessary steps. I know that fans want specific plans, and we are going to have this path. We’re not finished yet. We are in a transition phase and more comes. “

If the deadline on Thursday was an indication of specification, the bulls will receive a slow, uninspiring reconstruction.

“The plan is here,” said Karnišovas. “We undertake to build a sustainable, competitive team. We are wrong to be in the middle. It can be a long process, and sometimes a step has to step back before going forward. Our commitment to the (championship) goal has not changed.

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

In view of the condition of the bulls, a franchise with just one playoff win in the last seven seasons, for observers, it is of course to ask themselves whether they could have achieved more.

The 34 -year -old start center Nikola Vučević plays one of the best basketball of his career and only remains in his contract for a year. The bulls no longer need him – especially after the acquisition of Zach Collins as part of the Lavine deal – and could have brought him to the highest bidder. Coby White will also be in the last year of his contract next season, and the bulls have to decide whether it is worthy of an increase. Ball and Ayo Dosunmu also had commercial value.

“We obviously appreciate design compensation and young players and then in this order,” said Karnišovas. “But we have nine players between 20 and 25 years (years old). I think you have to have a real mix of players to grow. You can’t just carry out young players and think that they will develop themselves. You need the right veterinarians and experienced boys to be nearby, and I see in this vooch and keep zo in this kind of role. “

Instead of finding a team with several stars, Karnišovas said that the bulls are now being built as a deep squad with almost a dozen talented players who can make a contribution.

“More and more teams do that,” he said. “Three and a half years ago we tried to put together this team that came out pretty well, but we skipped steps and tried to accelerate the process. I think at the moment we have the opportunity to play it more slowly and to evaluate our young people. “

Two days after Bulls coach Billy Donovan said that he was open to the coach of a reconstruction, Karnišova’s Donovan praised what he did this season.

“I thought Billy did a great job this year when you bought our veterinarians and our young boys for the way we want to play,” said Karnišovas. “We were quite consistent with pace, drove to the floor and turned 3S. We have made major adjustments to our playing style this year and will continue to adapt if necessary.

“Billy is a great trainer with whom you can work with and is always receptive to feedback and conversations. Billy and I constantly discuss things that we have to improve like sales and reduce the second chance. Like all coaches, Billy has been driven to win and recognizes the importance of the development of our young players. He does a great job to compensate for that. “

Karnišovas also addressed himself directly to the long-lasting bull fans, as if he were aware of the arrows that are aimed at him.

“For our fans, I work tirelessly to put this team in position for long -term success,” he said. “I constantly evaluate opportunities, make difficult decisions and remain proactive when designing the squad. Each step is carefully taken into account with the aim of building up a competitive and sustainable future.

“While the process takes time and I know that it is sometimes frustrating for me, my commitment to improve the team is of the greatest importance. I know where responsibility ends up and I am obliged to make the right decisions to increase this team. “

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