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3 end-of-season awards the Bulls will contend for in 2022-23

By Austin Carroll

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls watches his three as the bench joins in in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 02, 2021 in New York City. The Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks 199-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: Lonzo Ball #2 of the Chicago Bulls watches his three as the bench joins in in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 02, 2021 in New York City. The Chicago Bulls defeated the New York Knicks 199-115. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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Arturas Karnisovas, Marc Eversley, Chicago Bulls
Arturas Karnisovas, Marc Eversley, Chicago Bulls (Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports) /

1. Arturas Karnisovas – Executive of the Year

Despite a disastrous conclusion to the 2021-22 season, the efforts of Arturas Karnisovas certainly were not in vain. Other teams around the league noticed just how quickly his guiding hand was able to turn this team around and even had them looking like potential contenders deep into the season.

Memphis’ Zach Kleiman won the 2022 Executive of the Year award ⁠— deservedly so after the Grizzlies surprised everyone and posted the NBA’s second-best record ⁠— but Karnisovas also received recognition as he tied with Cleveland’s Koby Altman for second place. He also received the most second-place and third-place votes from his peers.

Unfortunately, we know a playoff run was not meant to be, but that doesn’t mean Karnisovas’ management should be overlooked or diminished in any way. The Bulls still managed to improve by 10 wins even after an atrocious stretch of performance to close out the regular season; it’s easy to imagine just how good this team could be given a summer to gel and come back healthy.

That’s exactly what Arturas will be banking on he’s to win 2023’s Executive of the Year award, at least. If the Chicago Bulls are capable of running things back and maintaining a top-seeded position like they failed to do last season, that would be evidence that Karnisovas’ vision deserves recognition.

By all accounts, the Bulls are a team that’s not expected to be a contender entering next season. Most of the league’s other top teams have written off Chicago before the season has even begun. With expectations set so low, no one stands to benefit more than Karnisovas if the Bulls exceed the low bar set for them and achieve a top seed and home court advantage in the playoffs.

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