According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Chicago Bulls recently interviewed Boston Celtics assistant general manager Dave Lewin in their search for a new lead executive.
Lewin joined the Celtics in 2012. He came over from the Cleveland Cavaliers after starting his career in their front office. Since coming to Boston, his ascension has led to him taking on roles like director of scouting and director of player personnel. He has spent the last four years as the team's assistant GM.
Opportunities like this are richly deserved. They're external promotions that those within the Celtics' organization celebrate. The other side of a potential development like this is that losing Lewin would add to the list of their recent front-office departures.
Celtics continue showcasing the power of an elite infrastructure
Last offseason, Austin Ainge joined his father, Danny, to become the president of basketball operations for the Utah Jazz. The organization's former scouting director, Remy Cofield, left to become the general manager for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. He had been with the franchise since 2013.
Boston has navigated those departures to remain an elite organization and front office. The franchise spent this season exemplifying the power of an elite infrastructure. It propelled them to 56 wins and the second seed in the Eastern Conference.
Meanwhile, the Bulls are a team in turmoil. They went 31-51 last season. That landed them in 12th in the Eastern Conference and on the outside looking in at the play-in tournament. Chicago parted with Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley earlier this month. With those two at the helm, the franchise went 224-254 in six seasons. That's, of course, not entirely on two individuals. However, it highlights that change was coming.
When the regular season ended, that makeover included head coach Billy Donovan leaving his post. The search for his successor may have to wait until the front office is stabilized.
Along with Lewin, the Bulls are interviewing Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd, Atlanta Hawks Senior vice president of basketball operations Bryson Gray, and Detroit Pistons vice president of basketball operations Dennis Lindsey.
Whether it's an individual among that group or another candidate, Fischer reports that Chicago is moving towards hiring a new top executive to guide the front office ahead of the NBA Draft Combine. That event begins on May 10. The Bulls have two first-round selections in this year's NBA Draft.