Arturas Karnisovas can be accused of a lot of shortcomings in his six seasons as Bulls lead suit.
One thing the executive vice president of basketball operations can’t be labeled, however, is a liar.
So when Karnisovas continues promising that tanking is not in the organization’s vocabulary, go ahead and book it.
Just in case further evidence is needed of that point just look back on how the business of basketball was handled last season. With a generational talent like Cooper Flagg headlining a very talented draft class, Karnisovas was beating the drum of “competitive integrity.” A stance that once again earned the Bulls a free trip to the play-in tournament, only to once again see any hopes of the postseason dashed by the Miami Heat.
Memo to Karnisovas just in case: The 2026 draft class is equally as loaded.
There’s Kansas-bound Darryn Peterson, who has drawn comparisons to being very Kobe-like in his offensive game. Or AJ Dybantsa and his 7-foot wingspan at the small forward spot. Don’t forget a last name the Bulls know very well, Cameron Boozer – son of one-time Bulls forward Carlos Boozer.
All have a chance to change a franchise around. All are nothing more than pipedreams for Bulls fans.
While the 2025-26 Bulls have a feel of the same old, same old, what isn’t the same is the Eastern Conference.
Achilles injuries to both Boston’s Jayson Tatum and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton have changed the immediate fortunes of those two organizations, while injury questions continue looming over a talented Philadelphia roster.
In a league where no one feels sorry for the problems of others, the Bulls should benefit from all of the surrounding turmoil.
What could that mean in the big picture?
If everything goes as planned for Karnisovas and his Bulls roster, how about a trip to the postseason with no play-in game needed?
That’s the reality that is staring the Bulls in the face this season, and that’s no lie.
**PREDICTED ORDER OF THE NBA BOTTOM**
**5\.** New Orleans Pelicans
**4\.** Charlotte Hornets
**3\.** Washington Wizards
**2\.** Utah Jazz
**1\.** Brooklyn Nets
**PREDICTED ORDER OF THE EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS**
**1.** Cleveland Cavaliers
**2.** Orlando Magic
**3\.** New York Knicks
**4\.** Detroit Pistons
**5.** Atlanta Hawks
**6.** BULLS
**7.** Miami Heat
**8\.** Boston Celtics
**EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS**
Cavs over Magic in six
**ALL-EASTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM**
G – Jalen Brunson, Knicks
G – Donovan Mitchell, Cavs
F – Jaylen Brown, Celtics
F – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
C – Joel Embiid, 76ers
**ALL-EASTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM**
G – Cade Cunningham, Pistons
G – Tyrese Maxey, Sixers
F – Paolo Banchero, Magic
F – Evan Mobley, Cavs
C – Bam Adebayo, Heat
**EASTERN CONFERENCE HONORS**
**MVP**
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
**MOST IMPROVED PLAYER**
Matas Buzelis, BULLS
**ROOKIE OF THE YEAR**
Kon Knueppel, Hornets
**COACH OF THE YEAR**
Jamahl Mosley, Magic
**COACH ON THE HOT SEAT**
Mike Brown, Knicks
**MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER**
Payton Pritchard, Celtics
**MOST OVERRATED PLAYER**
Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks
**BIG-NAME TRADE CANDIDATE**
Nikola Vucevic, BULLS
**PREDICTED ORDER OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS**
**1.** Oklahoma City Thunder
**2.** Houston Rockets
**3.** Denver Nuggets
**4.** Golden State Warriors
**5.** Minnesota Timberwolves
**6.** Los Angeles Clippers
**7.** San Antonio Spurs
**8.** Dallas Mavericks
**WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS**
Thunder over Rockets in seven
**NBA FINALS**
Thunder over Cavs in five
**ALL-WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST TEAM**
G – Luka Doncic, Lakers
G – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder
F – LeBron James, Lakers
F – Anthony Davis, Mavericks
C – Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
**ALL-WESTERN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM**
G – Steph Curry, Warriors
G – Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves
F – Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
F – Kevin Durant, Rockets
C – Victor Wembanyama, Spurs
**WESTERN CONFERENCE HONORS**
**MVP**
Luka Doncic, Mavericks
**MOST IMPROVED PLAYER**
Amen Thompson, Rockets
**ROOKIE OF THE YEAR**
Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
**COACH OF THE YEAR**
Ime Udoka, Rockets
**COACH ON THE HOT SEAT**
JJ Redick, Lakers
**MOST UNDERRATED PLAYER**
Jalen Williams, Thunder
**MOST OVERRATED PLAYER**
Austin Reaves, Lakers
**BIG-NAME TRADE CANDIDATE**
Jonathan Kuminga, Warriors
[](https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/joe-cowley)
Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Bulls reporter