John Paxson Leading Bulls' GM Search as 'Most Important Person'

Former Bulls executive and player is heavily involved in the team's search for a new general manager.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:13pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented basketball court and players, with sharp geometric shapes in vibrant colors representing the shifting dynamics within the Bulls' organization.The Bulls' front office shakeup has thrust longtime executive John Paxson into a central role in determining the team's future direction.Chicago Today

The Chicago Bulls are in the midst of a search for a new general manager after firing Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley. According to reports, former Bulls player and executive John Paxson is playing a central role in the process, with one analyst describing him as 'the most important person in the Bulls organization' right now as the team looks to chart a new course.

Why it matters

Paxson has held various leadership roles with the Bulls over the years, including serving as general manager and president of basketball operations. His deep ties to the organization and influence with ownership make him a key figure in determining the Bulls' next steps as they look to rebuild the team and return to contention.

The details

After a 31-51 season, the Bulls have fired Karnisovas and Eversley and are now searching for a new general manager. According to reports, Paxson is heavily involved in the interview process and is 'sitting alongside' Bulls owner Michael Reinsdorf as they evaluate candidates. Paxson previously served as GM from 2003 to 2009 and as president of basketball operations from 2009 to 2020 before Karnisovas took over.

  • The Bulls completed the 2025-26 season with a 31-51 record.
  • The Bulls fired VP Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley in April 2026.

The players

John Paxson

A former Bulls player who was part of the team's first three-peat championship team in the 1990s. Paxson has held various front office roles with the Bulls over the years, including serving as general manager from 2003 to 2009 and president of basketball operations from 2009 to 2020.

Michael Reinsdorf

The current owner of the Chicago Bulls, who is leading the search for a new general manager and is working closely with John Paxson in the process.

Billy Donovan

The current head coach of the Chicago Bulls, whose future with the team remains uncertain as the organization undergoes changes in its front office leadership.

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What they’re saying

“Right now, the guy on Michael Reinsdorf's shoulder, leading him through this process, is John Paxson. In a lot of ways, John Paxson at the moment is the most important person in the Bulls organization.”

— Dan Bernstein, Analyst

What’s next

The Bulls will continue their search for a new general manager, with John Paxson playing a central role in the interview process alongside owner Michael Reinsdorf. The team's future direction and decisions on the coaching staff will also be closely watched as the organization looks to rebound from a disappointing 2025-26 season.

The takeaway

John Paxson's continued influence within the Bulls organization highlights the team's reliance on long-time figures as they look to chart a new path forward. His involvement in the GM search process will be crucial in determining the franchise's next steps and whether they can return to contention in the NBA.