Chicago Bulls fire Gar Forman as Arturas Karnisovas is appointed
Monday 13 April 2020 18:45, UK
The Chicago Bulls fired long-time general manager Gar Forman on Monday as they made official the hiring of Arturas Karnisovas as executive vice president of basketball operations.
The team also announced that John Paxson, whom Karnisovas replaced, will serve as senior adviser of basketball operations.
Forman had been with the Bulls for 22 years, serving as general manager since May 2009. He was named the NBA Executive of the Year in 2011.
The Bulls made the playoffs seven times with Forman at the helm but missed out the past two seasons. When the 2019-20 season was suspended on March 11, the Bulls (22-43) were in 11th place in the Eastern Conference, eight games out of the final playoff spot.
"Gar Forman worked tirelessly for the Chicago Bulls organization, first as a scout and then as an executive," team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said in a team statement.
"He made many significant contributions during his time here and helped to bring some of the brightest young basketball talent to our team, from Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson to Jimmy Butler and Coby White.
"He has been a trusted advisor and friend to me over the years, and on behalf of everyone I want to thank him for his commitment to the organization. Gar will always be a part of our Bulls family."
Unlike Paxson, Forman will not continue with the franchise.
"It has been an honour and a privilege to work for the Chicago Bulls for more than two decades," he said, adding, "The Bulls organization will always hold a special place in my heart."
