The Chicago Bulls let go of longtime athletic trainer Jeff Tanaka this week, and an even bigger change may be coming next.
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported on Tuesday that Tanaka, who had been the Bulls’ head trainer since 2014, was informed by the organization that his contract would not be renewed. The decision was said to have been made by Chicago’s new head of basketball operations, Arturas Karnisovas.
Cowley also adds that, though ownership wants head coach Jim Boylen back, Karnisovas and new GM Marc Eversley have received enough of a mixed bag of feedback in detailed discussions with players and retained personnel. The feedback has been such that Karnisovas and Eversley are now leaning towards firing Boylen and starting with a new coach of their choosing, Cowley says.
Boylen, who has two years remaining on his deal, has been uninspiring since taking over for the fired Fred Hoiberg in 2018. His .317 winning percentage ranks as the worst in the league among coaches with their current teams.
Recent reports suggested that several top players on the Bulls were among those who wanted to see Boylen ousted. If the departure of Tanaka is any indication, an even greater house-cleaning may be underway in Chicago.
