Is John Paxson ready to move on from the Bulls? Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune/TNS/Sipa USA

Report: John Paxson could step away from Chicago Bulls

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 4/7/20

In early April, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the Chicago Bulls had launched a search "to hire a new top executive with full authority on basketball decisions."

It appears vice president of basketball operations John Paxson may not be with the organization long after the club puts pen to paper on a deal with that executive.

On April 7, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago explained Paxson was willing to "take as small or as large a role as this new hire wants."

"John Paxson will take as small or as large of a role as this new hire wants." @KCJHoop has all the details on the Bulls' front office search
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— Bulls Talk (@NBCSBulls) April 7, 2020

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times provided further information regarding the matter when he reported Paxson was prepared to take an advisory role with the Bulls or "completely step down" if an individual with full authority wanted to go in a different direction during the club's latest rebuild.

"Paxson’s patience has been pushed to the limit the last few seasons, especially when it comes to the perception by outsiders of the job he has done," Cowley wrote.

The Bulls first added Paxson to the club's front office in 2003, and he's held his current role since 2009. Chicago missed the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, including the coronavirus-affected 2019-20 campaign, and fans have started "Fire GarPax" chants during games as recently as February.

Gar Forman became Bulls general manager in 2009.

The Bulls remain stuck in NBA purgatory. Chicago has too much talent to tank to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings where the Cleveland Cavaliers resided when the season came to a halt in March, but the Bulls also were never going to sniff a playoff spot before April 15. A clean break could be best for all involved, especially if it's decided the Bulls must get worse before they start improving.

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