Arturas Karnisovas can be accused of a lot of shortcomings in his six seasons as Bulls lead suit.
One thing the executive vice president of basketball operations can’t be labeled, however, is a liar.
So when Karnisovas continues promising that tanking is not in the organization’s vocabulary, go ahead and book it.
Just in case further evidence is needed of that point just look back on how the business of basketball was handled last season. With a generational talent like Cooper Flagg headlining a very talented draft class, Karnisovas was beating the drum of “competitive integrity.” A stance that once again earned the Bulls a free trip to the play-in tournament, only to once again see any hopes of the postseason dashed by the Miami Heat.
Memo to Karnisovas just in case: The 2026 draft class is equally as loaded.
There’s Kansas-bound Darryn Peterson, who has drawn comparisons to being very Kobe-like in his offensive game. Or AJ Dybantsa and his 7-foot wingspan at the small forward spot. Don’t forget a last name the Bulls know very well, Cameron Boozer — son of onetime Bulls forward Carlos Boozer.
All have a chance to change a franchise around. All are nothing more than pipe dreams for Bulls fans.
While the 2025-26 Bulls have a feel of the same old, same old, what isn’t the same is the Eastern Conference.
Achilles injuries to both Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton have changed the immediate fortunes of those two organizations, while injury questions continue looming over a talented Philadelphia roster.
In a league where no one feels sorry for the problems of others, the Bulls should benefit from all of the surrounding turmoil.
What could that mean in the big picture?
If everything goes as planned for Karnisovas and his Bulls roster, how about a trip to the postseason with no play-in game needed?
That’s the reality that is staring the Bulls in the face this season, and that’s no lie.
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE NBA BOTTOM
5. New Orleans Pelicans
4. Charlotte Hornets
3. Washington Wizards
2. Utah Jazz
1. Brooklyn Nets
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS
1. Cleveland Cavaliers
2. Orlando Magic
3. New York Knicks
4. Detroit Pistons
5. Atlanta Hawks
6. BULLS
7. Miami Heat
8. Boston Celtics
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Cavs over Magic in six
ALL-EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
G – Jalen Brunson, Knicks
G – Donovan Mitchell, Cavs
F – Jaylen Brown, Celtics
F – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
C – Joel Embiid, 76ers
ALL-EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
G – Cade Cunningham, Pistons
G – Tyrese Maxey, Sixers
F – Paolo Banchero, Magic
F – Evan Mobley, Cavs
C – Bam Adebayo, Heat
EASTERN CONFERENCE HONORS
MVP
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Matas Buzelis, BULLS
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Kon Knueppel, Hornets
COACH OF THE YEAR
Jamahl Mosley, Magic
COACH ON THE HOT SEAT
Mike Brown, Knicks
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER
Payton Pritchard, Celtics
MOST OVERRATED PLAYER
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
BIG-NAME TRADE CANDIDATE
Nikola Vucevic, BULLS
PREDICTED ORDER OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Houston Rockets
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Golden State Warriors
5. Minnesota Timberwolves
6. Los Angeles Clippers
7. San Antonio Spurs
8. Dallas Mavericks
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS
Thunder over Rockets in seven
NBA FINALS
Thunder over Cavs in five
ALL-WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM
G – Luka Doncic, Lakers
G – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
F – LeBron James, Lakers
F – Anthony Davis, Mavericks
C – Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
ALL-WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM
G – Steph Curry, Warriors
G – Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
F – Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
F – Kevin Durant, Rockets
C – Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
WESTERN CONFERENCE HONORS
MVP
Luka Doncic, Mavericks
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Amen Thompson, Rockets
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
COACH OF THE YEAR
Ime Udoka, Rockets
COACH ON THE HOT SEAT
JJ Redick, Lakers
MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER
Jalen Williams, Thunder
MOST OVERRATED PLAYER
Austin Reaves, Lakers
BIG-NAME TRADE CANDIDATE
Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors
