The Chicago Bulls fired Jim Boylen a couple of days ago, with Arturas Karnisovas starting an official search for his replacement.
Several candidates have emerged, including former Nets coach Kenny Atkinson, Nuggets assistant Wes Unseld Jr., Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, Bucks assistant Darvin Ham, 76ers assistant Ime Udoka, Timberwolves assistant David Vanterpool, and Mavericks assistant Stephen Silas, according to multiple reports.
Atkinson should be a “no-brainer” for the Chicago Bulls, an NBA scout said Hoopshype’s Mike Scotto.
“No brainer, Kenny Atkinson,” one NBA scout told HoopsHype. “It’s a young team. He will do for Chicago exactly what he did for Brooklyn. He’ll have them overachieve, outhustle and outwork teams on a nightly basis. They will be physical, smart, and tough to guard because they will share the ball. Plus, he’s a no-nonsense, direct, fair coach who relates very well to players. He’d be my pick.”
Atkinson will have better starting material in Chicago as the team has chosen several lottery prospects the last few seasons. The Bulls are constantly playing for the lottery the last four seasons with their last playoff appearance being back in 2017.
