Chicago Bulls: Breaking down new front office hires so far

VP of Player Personnel

With the Bulls replacing Forman with the former Sixers vice president of player personnel Eversley, they’re turning to another executive that was formerly in a similar position with another successful NBA franchise for help. Former Nuggets director of pro personnel Pat Connelly will be taking over as the Bulls next vice president of player personnel.

It sounds like the primary responsibility of Connelly up in the Bulls front office is going to be helping Karnisovas and Eversley assemble the new-look scouting department from the ground-up. This was a role that Forman was mainly responsible for since that’s where he started with the Bulls, and what he had done for more than 20 years with the organization.

Connelly’s last role in an NBA front office was also under Karnisovas, as the Nuggets director of pro personnel. He held that role in the Mile High City just starting in the season that is currently placed on pause. Prior to that role with the Nuggets, Connelly was as assistant general manager with the Phoenix Suns from 2013-2018.

The biggest role that Connelly had to start his executive career in this league was as the director of player personnel with the Washington Wizards, starting prior to the 2006-07 season.

Other significant roles in the basketball landscape that Connelly held included a graduate assistant with the Baylor Bears men’s hoops program in the early-to-mid 2000’s and an assistant coach on Nick Nurse’s staff on a team over in Europe.