Controversial Bulls decision will have horrendous long-term impacts on the franchise

31, 46, 40, 39, 39. The aforementioned numbers represent the Chicago Bulls' win totals over the last five seasons. Chicago's winning percentage since the 2020-21 campaign is a middling 48.8 percent. Only the Atlanta Hawks are closer to the mediocre mark of 50.0 percent. Nevertheless, it's probably better to be the Hawks than the Bulls—if you're mediocre, at least win more than half of your games.

Besides being stuck in purgatory, what's most damning is the Bulls' long-term plan is to be undeniably average. And, in the NBA, average is worse than downright bad. For instance, the NBA's best team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, won merely 22 games in 2020-21. Only the Orlando Magic, Detroit Pistons, and Houston Rockets won fewer in 2020-21. What do these teams have in common? They're all competing in the postseason, with the Thunder being the title favorites.

What makes these squads different from the Bulls is that their slumping seasons yielded high draft picks. The Thunder have notably added Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace through the draft. Moreover, Oklahoma City used its exorbitant salary cap space to add quality contributors such as Isaiah Hartenstein and former Bull Alex Caruso, who signed a four-year, $81 million pact in December.

Furthermore, the Magic added Paolo Banchero, the Pistons drafted Cade Cunningham, and the Rockets acquired Amen Thompson through the NBA Draft. The former two are All-Stars, while Thompson is well on his way to winning Defensive Player of the Year.

The Bulls haven't been dreadful enough to land a franchise-altering talent in the draft. While Matas Buzelis may soon qualify, it's too early to tell, and expecting an 11th-overall pick to have a monumental impact is irrational. Bancheor and Cunningham went first, while Thompson went fourth.

Conversely, the Bulls haven't been good enough to attract prime free agents. Since 2020, Chicago's most notable free agent additions have been Lonzo Ball, Caruso, and DeRozan, which occurred on or before August 2021. Since then, the Bulls have added Andre Drummond, Derrick Jones Jr., Jevon Carter, and Jalen Smith. A lack of salary cap space has negatively affected the middling Bulls.

Chicago has been stuck in purgatory for far too long, and unfortunately, the suspension isn't coming to an end any time soon. Trading DeMar DeRozan and Caruso last offseason was a start, but the Bulls have only inched toward the finish line. It took Vice President of Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas until midseason to trade 30-year-old Zach LaVine. For whatever reason, 34-year-old Nikola Vucevic remains on the roster.

Worst of all, Karnišovas has made his questionable intentions known throughout the season. In the aftermath of the trade deadline, the Vice President of Basketball Operations said, "It's worth it" if the Bulls reached the Play-In Tournament or the playoffs, thus lowering their lottery odds. This quote came after Chicago's leading scorer LaVine was sent to Sacramento. Quite ironic, right? Of course, the worst possible result ensued. Chicago won a boatload of games, worsening their lottery odds, only to be bounced from the play-in.

Then, in Chicago's exit interviews, Karnišovas spoke of his contentment with the Bulls' roster and end-of-season results following the disastrous play-in loss. The Vice President wasn't overly pleased, and rightfully so. He preached patience and alluded to further internal development. Nonetheless, he used the term "shrinking the timeline," referring to Chicago's competitive agenda.

As Chicago Sun-Times' Joe Cowley professed, "This organization is doomed!" Karnišovas ideology represents mediocrity. Instead of piling on losses and selecting a Banchero or Cunningham to right the ship, holding steady and banking on continued internal improvements is key to future success. The questionable method is as blasphemous as it sounds, especially in a league where teams lack patience.

Karnišovas' long-term outlook is dooming the Bulls. Sure, some quality trades have been made here and there. But if the second half of this past season is any indication, mediocrity isn't frowned upon in the Windy City. A rash decision must soon be made.