David Kaplan: There will be meaningful change after this season

[dougthonus]

https://clutchpoints.com/raptors-rumors-contrary-previous-report-toronto-didnt-actually-offer-masai-ujiri-extension/

People keep saying Masai won't happen, but realistically why not? If he leaves Toronto, is there a more prestigious GM challenge than restoring the Bulls to their past glory? Neither LA team will have an opening. Obviously NY is a great challenge too, but Dolan is so much worse than Reinsdorf.

NY is a bigger challenge, more prestigious if you are successful, and you can bet your ass Dolan will pay more money. Probably 2-3x what Reinsdorf will pay.

[FriedRise]

More details to this report per bleachernation:

“From what I hear – and I still have good friends that work in the league, they [the Bulls] are readying a plan to overhaul everything in basketball operations,” Kaplan said on his ESPN 1000 show Kap & Co.
...
Kaplan did concede that he doesn’t know any specifics within the Reinsdorfs’ plans. However, he did make sure to note that the change would start at the very top, with possible new advising on how to reconstruct nearly everything from the scouting department to the coaching staff.

“I don’t know who’s advising Michael Reinsdorf and Jerry, I don’t know who is going to be involved in their plan,” Kaplan continued. “I’m just telling you, people I still know and have a relationship within the league, saying, ‘yeah, there’s finally going to be massive change coming to Chicago.’ Massive. That’s how the guy characterized it to me. And that there’s going to be a clean[ing] out of the scouting department and how you construct a scouting staff and how you construct your front office and your operations and who’s going to be the head coach.”

Well, then.

What Kaplan is saying here is exactly what Bulls fans have been dreaming about for years, which is what makes it so hard to believe. After all, who the heck is going to lead the charge on all this change? It can’t be John Paxson, that’s for sure.

Well, Kaplan did have an answer at the ready – “their new GM.”

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2020/01/09/david-kaplan-has-heard-there-will-finally-be-massive-changes-coming-to-bulls-organization/

Link to the podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kap-co/id1482802816

[MeloRoseNoah]

More details to this report per bleachernation:

“From what I hear – and I still have good friends that work in the league, they [the Bulls] are readying a plan to overhaul everything in basketball operations,” Kaplan said on his ESPN 1000 show Kap & Co.
...
Kaplan did concede that he doesn’t know any specifics within the Reinsdorfs’ plans. However, he did make sure to note that the change would start at the very top, with possible new advising on how to reconstruct nearly everything from the scouting department to the coaching staff.

“I don’t know who’s advising Michael Reinsdorf and Jerry, I don’t know who is going to be involved in their plan,” Kaplan continued. “I’m just telling you, people I still know and have a relationship within the league, saying, ‘yeah, there’s finally going to be massive change coming to Chicago.’ Massive. That’s how the guy characterized it to me. And that there’s going to be a clean[ing] out of the scouting department and how you construct a scouting staff and how you construct your front office and your operations and who’s going to be the head coach.”

Well, then.

What Kaplan is saying here is exactly what Bulls fans have been dreaming about for years, which is what makes it so hard to believe. After all, who the heck is going to lead the charge on all this change? It can’t be John Paxson, that’s for sure.

Well, Kaplan did have an answer at the ready – “their new GM.”

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2020/01/09/david-kaplan-has-heard-there-will-finally-be-massive-changes-coming-to-bulls-organization/

Link to the podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kap-co/id1482802816

I will believe it when it happens.

But damn. I will be jumping for joy if that happens.

The quote sounds like they’re on board with my house cleansing plan.

[DuckIII]

That blurb does not actually state that Paxson or Gar will be out, moved or replaced. It reads more like a restructuring and reimagining. Not necessarily a cleansing flood.

[DuckIII]

More details to this report per bleachernation:

“From what I hear – and I still have good friends that work in the league, they [the Bulls] are readying a plan to overhaul everything in basketball operations,” Kaplan said on his ESPN 1000 show Kap & Co.
...
Kaplan did concede that he doesn’t know any specifics within the Reinsdorfs’ plans. However, he did make sure to note that the change would start at the very top, with possible new advising on how to reconstruct nearly everything from the scouting department to the coaching staff.

“I don’t know who’s advising Michael Reinsdorf and Jerry, I don’t know who is going to be involved in their plan,” Kaplan continued. “I’m just telling you, people I still know and have a relationship within the league, saying, ‘yeah, there’s finally going to be massive change coming to Chicago.’ Massive. That’s how the guy characterized it to me. And that there’s going to be a clean[ing] out of the scouting department and how you construct a scouting staff and how you construct your front office and your operations and who’s going to be the head coach.”

Well, then.

What Kaplan is saying here is exactly what Bulls fans have been dreaming about for years, which is what makes it so hard to believe. After all, who the heck is going to lead the charge on all this change? It can’t be John Paxson, that’s for sure.

Well, Kaplan did have an answer at the ready – “their new GM.”

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2020/01/09/david-kaplan-has-heard-there-will-finally-be-massive-changes-coming-to-bulls-organization/

Link to the podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kap-co/id1482802816

I will believe it when it happens.

But damn. I will be jumping for joy if that happens.

The quote sounds like they’re on board with my house cleansing plan.

I don’t mean to be overly literal, but words matter if the people using them are being precise. And this quote talks about “how” and not “who.” I find this update to be less suggestive of dramatic personnel change at the top.

[drosereturn]

More details to this report per bleachernation:

“From what I hear – and I still have good friends that work in the league, they [the Bulls] are readying a plan to overhaul everything in basketball operations,” Kaplan said on his ESPN 1000 show Kap & Co.
...
Kaplan did concede that he doesn’t know any specifics within the Reinsdorfs’ plans. However, he did make sure to note that the change would start at the very top, with possible new advising on how to reconstruct nearly everything from the scouting department to the coaching staff.

“I don’t know who’s advising Michael Reinsdorf and Jerry, I don’t know who is going to be involved in their plan,” Kaplan continued. “I’m just telling you, people I still know and have a relationship within the league, saying, ‘yeah, there’s finally going to be massive change coming to Chicago.’ Massive. That’s how the guy characterized it to me. And that there’s going to be a clean[ing] out of the scouting department and how you construct a scouting staff and how you construct your front office and your operations and who’s going to be the head coach.”

Well, then.

What Kaplan is saying here is exactly what Bulls fans have been dreaming about for years, which is what makes it so hard to believe. After all, who the heck is going to lead the charge on all this change? It can’t be John Paxson, that’s for sure.

Well, Kaplan did have an answer at the ready – “their new GM.”

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2020/01/09/david-kaplan-has-heard-there-will-finally-be-massive-changes-coming-to-bulls-organization/

Link to the podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/kap-co/id1482802816

I will believe it when it happens.

But damn. I will be jumping for joy if that happens.

The quote sounds like they’re on board with my house cleansing plan.

I really dont mind Gar and even Pax as long as they are relegated to a minor role to save face.
But if Pax doesnt step down, simply changing name titles doesnt mean anything.
As much as I hate Gar, he is literally a puppet that had no decision making power whatsoever and he has been used as a human shield countless times.

[IamSam]

So based on this article, it appears possible as though they may give Forman a title more appropriate to his current duties as a scout, and with a GM position opening up, they could either slide in a new GM under Pax as the President.

As the article mentions, if they go this route, it will be interesting to see what the arrangement looks like between the new GM and team President.

I still think Pax may resign after this season. Or maybe this is wishful thinking.

[Mech Engineer]

None of those moves you mentioned were really horrific, compare to some of the signings we see today (a max contract for Tobias Harris, Blake Griffin being owed 75 mil over the next 2 years and on and on). Boozer was a useful player, Ben Wallace deal we were able to get out from under, Felicio is a terrible deal but it's not that much money. And Otto Porter's money would not be bad at all if he can get healthy and play the way he was playing last year. This board was almost unanimous in it's praise for that deal, until this season. The NBA is a high stakes game and I'd say the Bulls have gambled a lot less than most other teams, and consequently have been burned much less as well.

No Boozer was a terrible as well as Felicio's deal since these guys never belonged in the NBA in the first place.
He was already past his prime after getting boosted by Deron Williams in Utah.
When the Bulls signed Boozer, I already predicted the potential championship was already over and didnt even look like a consolation prize at all. It was more of a desperation from a garbage franchise that begged crappy players to take their money to save face.
They had to sign someone like Pau that year after failing to acquire Bosh but it was over when they got him and Keith freaking Bogans.

Yep. From day one, Boozer was an awful contract. The team was clearly better with Taj Gibson starting. $15 million was alot in a $65 million cap. I still remember him being taken to school by Tyler frickin Hansbrough in the playoffs. He was untradeable the entire time and it was well known 2 years in advance that his last year was going to be amnestied. Huge waste of money.

Ben wallace, they spent MAX capspace to DOWNGRADE a position. Wallace was traded at the deadline in year 2 of his 4 year deal, for equally garbage contract in Larry Hughes.

The opportunity cost for Boozer was too high. It was a panic move and as you said based on the salary cap of 65 million, that was a terrible mistake.

And, that capped them from getting what they needed...a good 2nd playmaking wing next to Derrick. Tobias is getting paid in the current salary cap not in 2010 salary cap. And, Philly is not a great role model of a franchise for now on how to spend money.

[TheSuzerain]

That blurb is too good to be true.

That does not read to me like GarPax would be retained in new roles.

[DuckIII]

That blurb is too good to be true.

That does not read to me like GarPax would be retained in new roles.

I’m amazed that I’m the only one reading the new blurb with greater skepticism. Too good to be true? It says absolutely nothing about removing personnel other than scouts. It shifts completely to a discussion of analytical frameworks and methodology, not people.

Not that those other changes would be bad. Just not the sentiment I expected here.

[coldfish]

That blurb is too good to be true.

That does not read to me like GarPax would be retained in new roles.

I’m amazed that I’m the only one reading the new blurb with greater skepticism. Too good to be true? It says absolutely nothing about removing personnel other than scouts. It shifts completely to a discussion of analytical frameworks and methodology, not people.

Not that those other changes would be bad. Just not the sentiment I expected here.

What Kaplan is saying here is exactly what Bulls fans have been dreaming about for years, which is what makes it so hard to believe. After all, who the heck is going to lead the charge on all this change? It can’t be John Paxson, that’s for sure.

Well, Kaplan did have an answer at the ready – “their new GM.”

Am I missing something? This might all be bunk but if he is to be believed, there will be a new GM.

[The Explorer]

That blurb is too good to be true.

That does not read to me like GarPax would be retained in new roles.

I’m amazed that I’m the only one reading the new blurb with greater skepticism. Too good to be true? It says absolutely nothing about removing personnel other than scouts. It shifts completely to a discussion of analytical frameworks and methodology, not people.

Not that those other changes would be bad. Just not the sentiment I expected here.

I read it this way as well.

“I’m just telling you, people I still know and have a relationship within the league, saying, ‘yeah, there’s finally going to be massive change coming to Chicago.’ Massive. That’s how the guy characterized it to me. And that there’s going to be a clean[ing] out of the scouting department and how you construct a scouting staff and how you construct your front office and your operations and who’s going to be the head coach.”

'Massive' here could just mean cleaning out the scouting department and maybe the coach. It doesn't say any specifics about the front office as a whole, although admittedly I haven't listened to the entire podcast for context.

[FriedRise]

Listening to the podcast, Kap sounded more like an angry fan than someone reporting a story. Can't tell if it's wishful thinking like the rest of us have been wanting or if there's truth to it. He kept repeating that him and his son went to a bar to watch the Bulls vs Pels game and how ugly it was.

Cowley joined him later and Kap asked him the same question if impactful change is happening. Cowley told a story about when the old players came to the UC for that Luol Deng reunion about a month ago, they felt disrespected because all they got from Gar Forman was a head nod. That apparently got back to Jerry who wasn't very happy (Jerry has good relationship with the players) and told the players that there's gonna be some changes coming.

As for players on this current team:
- They know Thad Young isn't happy, and he'll probably be moved by the trade deadline
- They'd love to move Denzel Valentine
- 50/50 on Kris Dunn to keep or move; they like how good of a defender he's become

[Mech Engineer]

Listening to the podcast, Kap sounded more like an angry fan than someone reporting a story. Can't tell if it's wishful thinking like the rest of us have been wanting or if there's truth to it. He kept repeating that him and his son went to a bar to watch the Bulls vs Pels game and how ugly it was.

Cowley joined him later and Kap asked him the same question if impactful change is happening. Cowley told a story about when the old players came to the UC for that Luol Deng reunion about a month ago, they felt disrespected because all they got from Gar Forman was a head nod. That apparently got back to Jerry who wasn't very happy (Jerry has good relationship with the players) and told the players that there's gonna be some changes coming.

As for players on this current team:
- They know Thad Young isn't happy, and he'll probably be moved by the trade deadline
- They'd love to move Denzel Valentine
- 50/50 on Kris Dunn to keep or move; they like how good of a defender he's become

I agree it might be more of a wishful thinking but they are probably looking for the right guys. GarPax are like lame duck coaches and other than a miracle such as Bulls making the ECF, there is nothing more to see and evaluate GarPax.

But, the problem is, if they don't find their guy, will they continue with GarPax? What if they don't find by next year and this team makes the playoffs or starts out as a 500 team? Is that enough to keep them going again for the 100th time?

They need to fire them, put an interim in place and look for the new GM. If that's not happening, this can take it's own unknown path.

[mtron32]

Masai. Make it happen.

I'd take a full week off of work and just run the streets of Chicago in joy if this ever were to happen. No chance though, he's too smart to come here and Reinsfdorf probably doesn't even know his name. I expect Gar to get the axe, Paxson to stay maybe a title change, a new stooge who's a yes man to replace Gar and little to no change in overall team building philosophy.

I'd fly back from San Diego and join you, that would be fantastic.

[MrSparkle]

It’s truly sad how sad this situation is. Really thought in 2012 that the dark times were over. Thibs, Adams could make a player out of John Lucas III. Depth up the wazoo. Picking up good role-players with late picks: Taj, Asik, Jimmy.

One move (or non-move) after another for 8 years straight, they sunk the ship. Sure, the ACL happened... But I can’t think of one other really nasty career-altering injury that the Bulls dealt with.

Pacers lost an all-star Granger right as he hit peak and found a superstar teammate. Then they lost George to one of the nastiest leg breaks. Then when it seemed they lucked out with their George dump, Oladipo emerges... he goes on to mess up his knee. And yet somehow they’ve managed to keep winning games throughout it all.

So that’s proof right there that 1, 2 nor 3 (!) major injuries shouldn’t excuse your FO.

[Mech Engineer]

It’s truly sad how sad this situation is. Really thought in 2012 that the dark times were over. Thibs, Adams could make a player out of John Lucas III. Depth up the wazoo. Picking up good role-players with late picks: Taj, Asik, Jimmy.

One move (or non-move) after another for 8 years straight, they sunk the ship. Sure, the ACL happened... But I can’t think of one other really nasty career-altering injury that the Bulls dealt with.

Pacers lost an all-star Granger right as he hit peak and found a superstar teammate. Then they lost George to one of the nastiest leg breaks. Then when it seemed they lucked out with their George dump, Oladipo emerges... he goes on to mess up his knee. And yet somehow they’ve managed to keep winning games throughout it all.

So that’s proof right there that 1 or 2 injuries shouldn’t excuse your FO.

I get really mad whenever I hear the Rose injury excuse. Almost every team in the league has lost their best or highest paid player due to injury, age, free agency etc...from 2012. It is self pity at the worst.

There are bad GMs and there are people who should not even be GMs. These guys are in the 2nd category...there was this NFL coach who died recently( Rich Kotite)...he should never have been an NFL coach, so was Hoiberg.

[TheSuzerain]

That blurb is too good to be true.

That does not read to me like GarPax would be retained in new roles.

I’m amazed that I’m the only one reading the new blurb with greater skepticism. Too good to be true? It says absolutely nothing about removing personnel other than scouts. It shifts completely to a discussion of analytical frameworks and methodology, not people.

Not that those other changes would be bad. Just not the sentiment I expected here.

What Kaplan is saying here is exactly what Bulls fans have been dreaming about for years, which is what makes it so hard to believe. After all, who the heck is going to lead the charge on all this change? It can’t be John Paxson, that’s for sure.

Well, Kaplan did have an answer at the ready – “their new GM.”

Am I missing something? This might all be bunk but if he is to be believed, there will be a new GM.

Yeah that's the part that made it sound like wholesale changes to me.

Even the Bulls wouldn't hire a GM and begin the relationship by saying "the old GM gets to stay on as a scout". That would be absurd.

Maybe Paxson holds on in a Doug Collins role, but I'd say it's much more likely he just retires.

[JohnnyKILLroy]

Masai. Make it happen.

I'd take a full week off of work and just run the streets of Chicago in joy if this ever were to happen. No chance though, he's too smart to come here and Reinsfdorf probably doesn't even know his name. I expect Gar to get the axe, Paxson to stay maybe a title change, a new stooge who's a yes man to replace Gar and little to no change in overall team building philosophy.

I'd fly back from San Diego and join you, that would be fantastic.

I’m in if we’re running naked.

[mtron32]

I'd take a full week off of work and just run the streets of Chicago in joy if this ever were to happen. No chance though, he's too smart to come here and Reinsfdorf probably doesn't even know his name. I expect Gar to get the axe, Paxson to stay maybe a title change, a new stooge who's a yes man to replace Gar and little to no change in overall team building philosophy.

I'd fly back from San Diego and join you, that would be fantastic.

I’m in if we’re running naked.

Been out in San Diego too long, my polar bear fur fell off years ago