Chicago Bulls: 3 best HC candidates post-Arturas Karnisovas hire

2. Dave Joerger, Former Sacramento Kings head coach

If I had the choice to name my top head coaching candidate in a potential Bulls search this year, it would go out to the former Sacramento Kings head coach Dave Joerger. The Bulls could likely go with a proven candidate from other coaching stops and have a better chance of success outright with the current young core at hand.

The problem for Joerger seems to be landing in bad situations in terms of front office turmoil and overall organizational dysfunction, not necessarily with his coaching ability. When he left the post as head coach with the Memphis Grizzlies after the 2015-16, that franchise didn’t do much better. His final season with the Grizzlies saw him post a record of 42-40.

In total in his three years with the Grizzlies, Joerger registered a record of 147-99. He also helped the Grizzlies reach the playoffs in all three seasons he was at the helm. One of those got the Grizzlies to a tough fought second round run in the Western Conference.

Moreover, Joerger was steadily improving with the Kings young core just as he was ousted for former Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton. Essentially exchanging Joerger for Walton was not a good move for the Kings, as it appears now. Joerger posted a record of 39-43 in his final year with the Kings. They were getting close to contending for the playoffs, but aren’t this season under Walton’s direction.