The Chicago Bulls have locked in on possible candidates to replace former head coach Jim Boylen for the 2020-21 season. Ex-Brooklyn Nets tactician Kenny Atkinson is considered a strong front runner for the position, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Given the struggling franchise's desire to return to the postseason, the Bulls are also keeping an eye on several assistant coaches who are still involved in the playoffs inside the bubble in Orlando, Florida.
Bulls VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley have already asked permission from the Milwaukee Bucks to interview their deputy Darvin Ham once he exits the bubble. The same goes for Denver Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr. and Miami Heat's Dan Craig.
For now, Chicago will have meetings with other assistant coaches whose teams have already been eliminated, including Dallas Mavericks deputies Jamahl Mosley and Stephen Silas, and the Philadelphia 76ers' Ime Udoka. Minnesota Timberwolves associate head coach David Vanterpool is also reportedly in consideration.
While the Bulls are aggressively broadening their horizons, they will also consider some of their in-house options. The team will speak with Boylen's former assistants Chris Fleming and Roy Rogers.
Chicago missed the postseason for the third straight season following a disastrous campaign where they went 22-43 (11th place in the Eastern Conference standings). While they would love to have a shot at some of the more high-profile coaches currently in the market, it seems the Bulls are looking for more realistic targets.
A lot of former assistant coaches have made their mark around the league shortly after getting an opportunity to shine as the main man. Chicago hopes they could find the next coaching gem who will be able to turn the team's fortunes around.
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