Back on April 6, the Chicago Bulls made the decision to cut ties with their long-time GM, Marc Eversley, and Executive VP of Basketball Operations, Arturas Karnisovas. This came as no surprise, as many questionable moves and underwhelming team performances have had fans asking for a change for the better half of a decade.
After a brutal 31-51 2026 campaign for the Bulls, the search for a new GM has now begun. While a list of candidates has not been released yet, there's a unique candidate being speculated by Basket News to compete for the opening. Kyle Korver, former Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls guard and current assistant GM for the Hawks, has emerged as a smart mind toward the modern NBA tempo.
Korver would make sense in Chicago
Since joining the Hawks staff in January 2023, Kyle Korver and company have almost single-handedly kept the Hawks competitive during times of heavy turnover, inconsistent roster development, and uncertainty surrounding key playmakers. Since taking over, Korver has helped the Hawks steadily climb in record. While minuscule, the Atlanta Hawks have averaged 5 more wins each season since Korver joined the staff.
Now, Korver's impact in management has been felt more than ever. After being 26-30 ahead of the All-Star Weekend, this Hawks team has rallied down the stretch to end the season with a 46-36 record, securing the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.
If this speculation came to fruition amidst the team's best season in the last half-decade, it could have major implications for what the future holds for this promising roster. Korver's playing days with Chicago and Atlanta have only bolstered this speculation all the more, and his familiarity with both organizations will be a major factor in his potential decision.
Atlanta must take measures to retain Korver
Retention, in this instance, may come down to opportunity. The Hawks could look to expand Korver's role in the front office, or at least, give him more opportunity than what the Bulls would potentially offer. With Korver being familiar with both organizations, it wouldn't be as difficult to sway him in one direction or another compared with other coaching candidates.
This could ultimately work in Atlanta's favor if they're able to show their trust, commitment, and upward trajectory for Korver's role moving forward.
For now, the situation remains as a whisper in the wind. The Hawks should stay centered around their late-season playoff push and capitalize on this momentum to potentially enable a deep playoff run like the one we saw back in 2021. The future for this team looks bright, and Kyle Korver's leadership has been a huge component of this team's success.
Ultimately, what happens in the off-season is a worry for the off-season. Right now, Hawks fans should focus on the potential that this team has to compete in the present moment, and finding success in the playoffs has been the most proven way to effectively retain vital pieces of the coaching staff.
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