Jerry Reinsdorf ‘excited' about Bulls' hires of Arturas Karnisovas, Marc Eversley

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Arturas Karnisovas is just the third head of basketball operations for the Bulls since chairman Jerry Reinsdorf led a group of investors to purchase the franchise in 1985.

New general manager Marc Eversley replaces longtime executive Gar Forman, who had a two-decade run under ownership known for stability.

“I’m excited about these guys,” Reinsdorf told NBC Sports Chicago. “In talking with Arturas and hearing what everyone else said about him, I was convinced we made the right decision. He’s not an egomaniac. He’s not shy. He seems balanced and basketball smart. That’s what I got out of the interview.”

Unlike Jerry Krause and John Paxson, Reinsdorf didn’t lead this search and interview process. His son, Michael, did.

At Karnisovas’ introductory teleconference last month, Michael, the team president and chief operating officer, detailed the final stage of the interview process. 

“At the end of the day, my Dad, Jerry, is still the boss. So we had to have that final interview with my dad, and we did that over video. And it was clear after that meeting that we had our new head of basketball operations,” Michael Reinsdorf said in April. “I think what my Dad said to me after the meeting when we reconvened was: 'I never thought you would find anyone as great as Arturas.' So I knew we were done, and that night we were able to negotiate a deal with Arturas.”

Elaborating on a sentiment first offered in his statement last month, Jerry Reinsdorf thanked Paxson, now a senior advisor, for his role in the transition. 

“John came to me and Michael and said we have to make a change, that we need to change generations,” Jerry Reinsdorf said. “Michael and John did the research, found people, interviewed them. At the end, I talked to Arturas. I didn’t have a big role, but I’m convinced we found a smart leader.”

RELATED: Jerry Reinsdorf on why Bulls’ dynasty ended and Michael Jordan’s greatness

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