The Chicago Bulls are busy trying to find their next GM. Executive VP Arturas Karnisovas has made that clear in every interview to this point. It's not a surprise. While many would like a resolution regarding head coach Jim Boylen, the fact is with no season being played there isn't a rush to reach one. Karnisovas wants to get his front office situation before addressing that question.
Still, speculation is out there. Bulls insider Darnell Mayberry sat down to talk with former front office man John Hollinger about the state of the team. When the topic of head coach came up, Hollinger believes Boylen's inability to develop his roster properly will see him removed. In terms of a possible replacement? There is one answer out there that makes way too much sense.
"For Karnisovas, the easiest way to establish his new program is by bringing in his own guy as the head coach. Given the Nuggets’ prior focus on player development and the need for Chicago’s young players to continue progressing, I think Kenny Atkinson is an obvious, neon-red name for Bulls fans. His track record in player development speaks for itself, and he got a bit of a raw deal in Brooklyn."
Chicago Bulls would love Atkinson if they're patient
Atkinson was a player himself overseas for 14 years. He entered the coaching ranks in 2004 over in France before making the leap to the NBA as a New York Knicks assistant in 2008. There he helped oversee the developed of future standouts like Danilo Gallinari, David Lee, Nate Robinson, and Iman Shumpert. From there he spent three seasons in Atlanta. It's right around that time guys like Jeff Teague and Dennis Schröder began to blossom.
This good work led to him becoming the head coach of the Brooklyn Nets. There despite constant front office issues and a rash of injury problems, he managed to turn the team into an overachiever. Names like D’Angelo Russell, Joe Harris, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Caris LeVert all excelled under his leadership. He got the Nets to the playoffs in 2019 but halfway through this season, the two sides decided to part ways. A lot of people in Brooklyn weren't happy about it.
Atkinson does exhibit a lot of qualities Karnisovas would like. The international background doesn't hurt either. While nothing is guaranteed yet, it appears he is the hot name to watch.
