Bulls CEO Reinsdorf Outlines Requirements for Next GM

Retaining head coach Billy Donovan is a must, Reinsdorf says as he seeks a new basketball operations leader.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:12am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented and overlapping shapes representing a basketball game, conveying the strategic rebuilding process the Bulls organization is undertaking.The Bulls' front office shakeup signals a new era of strategic rebuilding, with the next GM tasked with charting a sustainable path forward for the team.Chicago Today

Chicago Bulls CEO and president Michael Reinsdorf outlined the key qualities he is looking for in the team's next head of basketball operations, including a major requirement that the new hire be sold on retaining head coach Billy Donovan. Reinsdorf said he plans to engage a search firm to help find Donovan's replacement after firing Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley earlier this week.

Why it matters

The Bulls are at a critical juncture, with a week left in a disappointing 29-49 season. Reinsdorf is seeking a new basketball operations leader who can help build a 'real and sustainable winner' in Chicago, with the team having ample cap space and potential lottery picks this offseason.

The details

Reinsdorf said retaining Donovan as head coach would be a 'major requirement' for the next GM, citing the coach's Hall of Fame credentials and playoff success. He also wants the new hire to be process-oriented, willing to 'pull the trigger' on decisions, and a strong communicator both internally and externally. However, Reinsdorf made clear he is not in favor of tanking as a strategy, saying 'that's just not who we are as an organization.'

  • Donovan is scheduled to meet with ownership the day after Sunday's season finale to discuss his future.
  • The Bulls fired vice president Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley one day prior to Reinsdorf's comments.

The players

Michael Reinsdorf

The CEO and president of the Chicago Bulls, who is leading the search for a new head of basketball operations.

Billy Donovan

The current head coach of the Chicago Bulls, who Reinsdorf says must be retained by the next GM.

Arturas Karnisovas

The former vice president of basketball operations for the Chicago Bulls, who was fired earlier this week.

Marc Eversley

The former general manager of the Chicago Bulls, who was fired earlier this week alongside Karnisovas.

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What they’re saying

“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. ... If Billy wants to be our coach and someone's not interested in that, then they're probably not the right candidate for us.”

— Michael Reinsdorf, CEO and President, Chicago Bulls

What’s next

Reinsdorf confirmed the Bulls will engage a search firm to work alongside him, senior advisor John Paxson, and the current basketball operations team to find Karnisovas' replacement.

The takeaway

The Bulls' front office shakeup signals a new era of strategic rebuilding, with the next GM tasked with charting a sustainable path forward for the team while retaining the respected head coach Billy Donovan.