Arturas Karnisovas knows what the endgame is supposed to look like.
After all, the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations was wearing a hard hat and on site when Denver’s eventual championship team was under construction.
Where it seems to get blurry for Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley, however, is acquiring the proper materials to build the structure correctly for the Bulls.
The NBA is not rocket science.
Just look at the last decade. Four titles for Golden State; all four came with Steph Curry and two with Kevin Durant. Two titles for LeBron James — one with the Cavaliers and one with the Lakers. And then Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and the duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown all got theirs the last three seasons.
If there was one outlier it was the 2019 Raptors, who lucked into a title series against a Warriors team that was starless because of injuries. Even still, the team from up North had one of the elite two-way players in the game in Kawhi Leonard.
This is a league about the haves and the have-nots. You have an elite star on the roster and put the right complementary pieces around him, or you stay mediocre. You stay the Bulls.
Trying to build a really good team without that elite superstar and contend is an exercise in futility. Yet there’s Karnisovas and Eversley running on the same tired treadmill for what will be a fifth consecutive season.
So while they obviously still are searching for that elite player, it’s fair to ask: Have they even put the right pieces in place when, and if, they do hit gold?
That should be the focus this season. Of the core players, who is a true keeper and who is keeping them from true contention?
The keepers
Coby White — If the versatile guard can put the same work into his defense that he has into his all-around offensive game, then he’s the third-best player on a championship-caliber roster. Considering his Jimmy Butler-like work ethic, don’t count him out.
Ayo Dosunmu — Just look at Dosunmu’s numbers from March 1 of last season until the play-in loss in Miami: In his final 19 games, he averaged 17 points, shot just under 40% from three, and handed out 4.9 assists while guarding elite backcourt opponents. A perfect player off the bench for a title team.
Patrick Williams — This is it for Williams. The Bulls may have extended him for five more seasons, but if the former
No. 4 overall pick doesn’t flash consistently this season he never will.
Josh Giddey — Like Williams, this is a make-or-break season for Giddey. He’s not a starter on a team with deep playoff aspirations — see Oklahoma City last year — but he can be a valuable rotation piece in either role.
Matas Buzelis — The rookie is a huge unknown but has the attitude and moxie that screams possible “it” factor.
The obvious non-keepers
Zach LaVine — Of course this falls under the umbrella of “Really, Captain Obvious?” The goal for Karnisovas & Co. should be to showcase a healthy LaVine, remind the league he’s a two-time All-Star, and then do whatever it takes to move him as quickly as possible.
Nikola Vucevic — The timeline of this Bulls youth movement no longer fits with the 33-year-old. Do the veteran a solid and find him a home on a contender.
Lonzo Ball — Great guy, great story if he can get back from three left knee surgeries since the Bulls acquired him, but too many unknowns for a front office trying to move on from their first failed rebuild attempt.
Now or never
Julian Phillips — The foot injury was a setback, but it’s time for Phillips to show he’s more than just a slash-and-dunk guy.
Dalen Terry — If the outside shot is fixed and the game has slowed down for him, Terry has a chance to stick. Big ifs, however.
Jalen Smith — There were mixed reviews when the Bulls landed Smith. The undersized center will have a chance to make his case this season.