Bulls fans have spoken loud and clear from Day 1 of the coronavirus shutdown.
Many even long before that.
A coaching change isn’t being asked for, it’s being demanded. Fair or unfair, the fans want Jim Boylen out.
As the Sun-Times has reported, Boylen’s fate was all but sealed after a handful of players – several of them the Bulls’ better talent – painted a less than flattering picture of Boylen to new executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas in individual calls Karnisovas made upon taking the job.
Then add in several other behind-the-scenes waves, the fact that new regimes almost always want their own guy in the head-coaching chair and, of course, Boylen’s .317 winning percentage, and it doesn’t look great for Boylen once the Bulls can start talking to candidates rather than using back channels.
As also was reported, the wild card in all of this is chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, who could play the role of governor and make that last-second call to save Boylen.
It’s very unlikely, considering multiple high-ranking sources in the organization have doubled down on the idea that while the Reinsdorfs and former VP of basketball operations-turned-advisor John Paxson like Boylen, they will not step on the trust they have in the new front office to make the right decisions.
So expect not only the continual build-out of the front-office structure that has been taking place, but also a new-look coaching staff for the 2020-21 season.
The ideal scenario? Reinsdorf shows he can put his emotions behind him and allows Karnisovas to hire the best candidate out there: Tom Thibodeau.
The likely scenario? As the Sun-Times also has reported, the Bulls stick to their wish list and go after 76ers assistant coach Ime Udoka first and then Raptors assistant – and former Bulls assistant – Adrian Griffin a very close second.
It’s not the only ideal scenario vs. likely scenario the Bulls will deal with this offseason:
1. Ideally: Land top-three pick in the draft lottery. Likely: It will be No. 7 again.
A top three pick would not only allow the Bulls to have a chance at the very few talented players in this draft, but show their hand on how they really felt about guys. If they landed two-guard Anthony Edwards, insurance for Zach LaVine’s eventual departure in two years. If they go LaMelo Ball, an indictment that Coby White isn’t the point guard of the future, and if they went James Wiseman it means the 7-1 big man will be pushing Wendell Carter Jr. back to a four spot to battle it out with Lauri Markkanen.
What sits there for them at No. 7? Possibly small forward Isaac Okoro, who is already an elite defensive talent, or point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who has some weaknesses in his game, but just understands winning basketball.
2. Ideally: NBA sets up draft-determining summer league for the eight teams out of the bubble. Likely: Extended training camp for the eight teams out.
This would be a no-brainer both financially and from an intrigue standpoint. To take the eight teams left out and have them play in Las Vegas to determine the draft order? Do the right thing, NBA.
Instead, get ready for a month of extra camp come September in the friendly confines of the Advocate Center. Get the intrasquad pinnies ready.
3. Ideally: LaVine gets Markkanen out to Los Angeles for a two-week boot-camp. Likely: They won’t see each other until team activities in Chicago.
It would be great for LaVine to take some of Jimmy Butler’s mentality, pick out a remote location with no internet and cell phone service, and take Markkanen with him for some extreme workouts and bonding. Again, the reality is get the pinnies ready for the two at the Advocate Center.
