The Chicago Bulls are said to be looking to hire a new general manager this summer and Oklahoma City Thunder architect Sam Presti reportedly has a lot of fans in Chicago.
According to David Kapman of ESPN 1000, Presti is the Bulls' No. 1 target in their front office search:
According to @thekapman on ESPN 1000:
Oklahoma City Thunder general manager Sam Presti is the Chicago Bulls number 1 target.
Kaplan: "That's the guy they want. They are prepared to pay him what it takes."
— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) March 3, 2020
The Bulls are expected to keep current general manager Gar Forman, but mostly as a scout. Whoever Chicago hires will still report to vice president John Paxson and Chief Operating Officer Michael Reinsdorf.
However, according to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Bulls’ new front office hire is expected to have significant autonomy in basketball operations.
Presti has been with the Thunder since 2007. He’s one of the best execs in the league. Members of the Bulls are said to be fond of Presti, but it’s unknown if Presti has interest in leaving his stable position with the Thunder for a murky one in The Windy City.
Could the Bulls follow in the footsteps of the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and now New York Knicks and hire a former agent as their president if Presti doesn't work out? It’s possible.
If Chicago goes that route, one name to keep an eye on is evidently Mark Bartelstein. The former investment banker turned super agent founded Chicago-based Priority Sports and Entertainment. Bartelstein is well respected all throughout the league as an agent and knows the Chicago organization very well.
The Bulls are 21-40 on the season after defeating the Dallas Mavericks at home on Monday. They are in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings.
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