Chicago Bulls executive John Paxson addressed the media prior to Thursday's game, indicating the team's lack of moves at the deadline was due in part to a lack of clarity with respect to the product they were putting on the floor. Paxson also expressed belief in the players and coaching staff as the Bulls chase a playoff spot.
However, it is possible those remarks might be Paxson's final stand as VP of Basketball Operations.
Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald reported team sources expect Paxson to move into more of an advisory role after this season:
Maybe that will happen. Maybe it will provide glimpses of a brighter future. The Bulls' front office has been on a losing streak for a few years and a likely scenario when the season ends is they'll bring in a new head of basketball operations. That was another reason not to make a significant trade this week.
Team sources expect Paxson will move into an advisory role. And that could be fine. The White Sox did a similar switch with Kenny Williams moving up and Rick Hahn taking over the baseball operations, and that seems to be working well.
Paxson became Chicago's general manager at the conclusion of the 2003 season. He took the reins of a team in metaphorical purgatory just five years after the retirement of Michael Jordan.
The results have been extremely mixed. Paxson has made a number of ill-advised moves during his 17-year tenure. That includes trading LaMarcus Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas on draft night in 2006 in addition to poor drafting throughout this last decade.
He and general manager Gar Forman also signed an aging Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo in the summer of 2016 after saying they wanted to get “younger” and “more athletic.”
Bulls fans have grown increasingly frustrated with the front office as of late. And it might not be a surprise to see a bit of a shakeup, especially if Chicago fails to reach the playoffs.
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