The Reinsdorfs are known for their tendency to provide autonomy to the people they hire. But as the Bulls prepare for their fourth-ever hiring search to replace their top two executives, Reinsdorf wants to shift his approach.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to hold myself accountable, too,\u201d Reinsdorf said. \u201cWe do give a lot of autonomy to our people, but that doesn\u2019t mean they can just make any decision they want. It\u2019s our job to ask the right questions and to push back when needed. \u2026 We\u2019ve got to really ask the right questions, challenge, talk about experiences, look at other situations and ask a lot of questions. I think I need to do a much better job of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The upcoming weeks are critical for the Bulls. Reinsdorf joked that on Monday alone, he received at least 60 texts from people \u201csaying they wanted the job.\u201d He will collaborate with former general manager John Paxson \u2014 a longtime adviser to the club \u2014 and assistant general managers Pat Connelly and JJ Polk. The Bulls will also hire a search firm and consult with coach Billy Donovan on the process.<\/p>\n
Reinsdorf said he is not committed to a set structure for the front office. The Bulls might stick with the previous hierarchy of an executive vice president and a general manager or shift to just a general manager with many assistants.<\/p>\n
Column: When it comes to finally pulling the plug, it\u2019s like father, like son for Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n This is a different tactic for the Bulls. Reinsdorf noted the peculiarities of the prior hiring process, which took place in March 2020 in the early throes of the COVID-19 pandemic with a limited ability to hold meetings and communicate remotely. The CEO said that he did not meet Karni\u0161ovas in person until after the Bulls had already given him the job. The Bulls also did not hire a search firm during the 2020 hiring process, an omission that Reinsdorf said the team will amend this time.<\/p>\n \u201cI think this process is going to be very different,\u201d Reinsdorf said. \u201cWe\u2019ll probably talk to more people and get a better understanding of what some other organizations do. \u2026 I think hiring a search firm is going to be very helpful because they\u2019re going to really be able to find all the people out there that I probably would never have found.\u201d<\/p>\n Before the news conference, Reinsdorf said that he jotted down an early list of traits he hopes to find in a new top executive for the Bulls.<\/p>\n Those traits included a focus on process, an ability to predict trends, strong basketball evaluation, managerial savvy and an ability to \u201cpull the trigger\u201d with conviction when faced with tough decisions. Reinsdorf also emphasized the importance of both internal and external communication for a new hire, a notable weakness of the Karni\u0161ovas administration.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a history at the Bulls in the top position \u2014 other than (John Paxson) \u2014 they haven\u2019t always been the best communicators,\u201d Reinsdorf said while laughing. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t one of Art\u016bras\u2019 strengths, OK? \u2026 Our fans have the right to understand what we\u2019re trying to accomplish.\u201d<\/p>\n The past week threw sharp speculation onto Karni\u0161ovas after the waiving of Jaden Ivey<\/a>. But Reinsdorf said ownership had been considering a departure from the office since last summer, denying a report that he extended Karni\u0161ovas and Eversley\u2019s contracts.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s just not true,\u201d Reinsdorf said.<\/p>\n![\"Chicago](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/CTC-L-bulls-pacers001.jpg\")
Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan prepares for the start of a game against the Indiana Pacers at the United Center in Chicago on April 1, 2026. (Chris Sweda\/Chicago Tribune)<\/p>\n