Things haven’t gotten off to the best start for the Chicago Bulls in their bid to find a new Vice President of Basketball Operations. A position recently vacated by John Paxson as the team continues to shake up their front office. Three of their primary targets either declined to interview with the team or were rebuffed by the teams they already work for. Thus their list has had to change rather rapidly.
At last, they were able to complete their first meeting. According to Adrian Wojnarowski, COO Michael Reinsdorf and his staff connected with Utah Jazz GM Justin Zanik in a video interview. Zanik just recently returned to the organization after a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Zanik was the assistant GM in Utah from 2012 to 2016. During that time he had a hand in helping the team acquire eventual All-Star Gordon Heyward and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Is he the right man for the job though?
Chicago Bulls may have a key reason to want Zanik
So the question is why would the Bulls want Zanik considering he’s been a GM for only one season in Utah? Jon Greenberg of ESPN pointed out a key factor. Zanik is a former employee of Priority Sports & Entertainment, the Chicago-based sports agency run by superagent Mark Bartelstein. The man who happens to represent stars like Heyward and Kyle Lowry. That relationship could mean a lot if Zanik were put in charge of the Bulls.
Of course, what matters most is whether the man can install a culture and a roster that is capable of winning a championship. This much is unknown. He’s never been a part of a championship organization since entering the front office picture. He has helped build consistent winners though and that is something.
