The standard for the Chicago Bulls hasn’t changed in decades. The problem is everything else has. Ever since Michael Jordan walked away following the 1997-98 season, the franchise have been chasing a level of success they haven’t come close to replicating.
That era, defined by six championships alongside Scottie Pippen, remains the gold standard not just for the franchise, but for the entire league. And nearly three decades later, Chicago is still trying to figure out how to get back. The latest reset came Tuesday, when head coach Billy Donovan stepped down after six seasons.
The move wasn’t framed as a traditional firing or dismissal. Instead, Donovan chose to walk away rather than continue under a changing organizational structure, signaling deeper uncertainty within the franchise. Ownership had made its stance clear before the decision.
A stance that no longer applies
Team president and CEO Michael Reinsdorf emphasized after the late-season dismissals of executive vice president of basketball operations Artras Karniovas and general manager Marc Eversley that he wanted Donovan to remain in place. In fact, Reinsdorf suggested that any incoming front office leader unwilling to work with Donovan “was probably not the right candidate.”
That stance no longer applies. With Donovan now out, the Bulls are entering a full-scale organizational reset, one that will give their next lead executive the ability to shape both the roster and the coaching staff. It’s a level of flexibility the franchise hasn’t had in years, and it underscores how far the Bulls are from stability.
This is the latest chapter in a long post-Jordan timeline defined by inconsistency. Since the breakup of the dynasty following the 1997-98 title run, Chicago has cycled through rebuilds, short-lived playoff pushes and front office overhauls. There have been moments of promise, from the Derrick Rose MVP era to more recent attempts to build around established veterans, but none have resulted in a return to the Finals, let alone another championship.
A roster that’s limited… for now
Donovan‘s tenure fits that pattern. Hired to bring structure and credibility, he guided the team to occasional playoff appearances but never turned the Bulls into a true contender. His exit now reflects both the limitations of the current roster and the organization’s need for a fresh direction.
The bigger issue remains unchanged: replacing what Jordan and Pippen built was never going to be simple. The Bulls weren’t just winning titles in the late 1990s, they were defining the league. That kind of legacy creates expectations that are difficult to meet, especially without a generational talent at the center of the franchise.
Now, Chicago faces another pivotal offseason. A new front office leader will be tasked with evaluating everything from the roster’s core to the team’s long-term identity. Unlike previous transitions, this one comes with full control, including the ability to hire a new head coach. For a franchise that hasn’t won a championship since 1998, the stakes are familiar.
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