Chicago's front office leader and the man pulling the strings behind the scenes, Arturas Karnisovas, joined 670 The Score's Spiegel & Holmes Show before the Bulls tip off their 2025-26 campaign. Since arriving in the Windy City, his appearances in the media have been few and far between, containing mostly generic and regurgitated answers without substance. He's often scrutinized for dodging questions, giving broad responses, and not attacking difficult questions with honesty or transparency, but deflection and denial. Here's what he had to say today before the Bulls seek to start their year with a win in the United Center. Find the full interview concluding this article.
Defense, Defense, Defense
Whether discussing the blossoming star Matas Buzelis, Josh Giddey's improvement areas, or the reason behind acquiring Isaac Okoro, Karnisovas heavily mentioned the need to bolster the defensive side of the floor. When asked how Buzelis can improve, he noted that he needs to impact more areas of the game than just his evident explosiveness on the offensive side of the floor. He mentioned that not only will teams now be fully prepared to defend Buzelis as he's one of their feature players, but that he will have to turn around and defend some of the opposition's best threats, specifically citing Kawhi Leonard or Kevin Durant as examples. Outside of the high-flying denials that the sophomore wing has become elite at, he will have to find consistency in one-on-one defending, help defense, crashing the boards, and using his length to his advantage.
Matas Buzelis loves to be coached hard, Arturas Karnisovas told @SpiegsAndHolmes as he previewed the Bulls' new season.
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) October 22, 2025
"He wants to be the best, and he strives for it," Karnisovas says of Buzelis. pic.twitter.com/wGjlsBxJ6l
Chicago gave up the fifth-most points per game in the league last season. They were also near the bottom regarding opposing field goal percentage and defensive efficiency. While the offensive pace and scoring numbers have been among the highest leaguewide, the defense failed to follow suit. If Chicago wants to convert their potent offense into wins, the defensive side of the floor will need drastic improvements.
Chasing Wins With A "Wide Open Eastern Conference"
Karnisovas was asked about the franchise's direction and whether or not the team could finally entirely pull the trigger on a title chase or rebuild strategy. His response? "It has always been about winning. We have never went away from it." When referring to Okoro's addition and how he impacts the roster, affecting winning basketball was again the message. He noted that if all of the Eastern Conference clubs were asked their chances at contention, the majority would argue that they have an opportunity to compete. Injuries across the league were a highlight of why that is, and seeing the last five years of Eastern Conference Finals matchups, it's not too far-fetched to believe that a new contender could arise at any moment.
Karnisovas: “At the end of the day, our ultimate goal is to win the championship. But we’re in the position where we have to focus on our growth, what we’ve done well last year & what we need to do this year. We watched the playoffs. We saw how physical and demanding it is.”
— Gavin Dorsey (@DorseyBullsRTB) September 29, 2025
Building Around Buzelis And Giddey
Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey were the two names most commonly mentioned in today's interview. Karnisovas believes these two can spearhead the charge for a new Bulls' identity. Giddey's "elite playmaking and size as a point guard" and Buzelis's continued growth will be the main determining factors of Chicago's regular-season result.
Arturas Karnisovas is a big believer in Josh Giddey and has faith that he'll improve defensively this season. pic.twitter.com/iCdEsxShnc
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) October 22, 2025
What's the next step look like for Matas Buzelis?
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) October 22, 2025
Arturas Karnisovas: "Do everything a little bit better.
"He's going to be on every scouting report now. Teams are going to be ready for him." pic.twitter.com/bGiG7H1hgI
To recap the entirety of his time on the air today, the front office leader was much like he's been in the past. He dismissed or dodged any genuinely difficult or testy questions. He reiterated the same desire to win, yet made no impactful moves to prove that direction. He continued to emphasize that the franchise will heavily rely on the continued development of the entire roster. Assuming that every player does not make monumental strides on both sides of the floor, this will be another mediocre finish in Chicago, and a prolonged postseason drought.
Listen to the full interview with Arturas Karnisovas here:https://t.co/ITvVNIaR1M
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) October 22, 2025
