SALT LAKE CITY — Last week, numerous outlets reported that the Chicago Bulls were starting the search process to hire a new top executive. Turns out, Utah Jazz general manager Justin Zanik interviewed for the job, it was first reported Monday by NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson.
Zanik is in his first season as the Jazz’s general manager following an organizational restructure last summer which saw Dennis Lindsey move from general manager to a newly created role of executive vice president of basketball operations.
Hired by Utah as assistant general manager following a long career as a player agent, Zanik stayed in that role until 2016, when he was hired by the Milwaukee Bucks to be their assistant GM, with the promise that he would eventually become their GM.
In 2017, however, Jon Horst got that job instead, and Zanik returned to the Jazz as assistant general manager. At that time, former Indiana Pacers general manager David Morway was also hired by the Jazz and given the title of assistant GM. In 2018, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Zanik was a finalist for the Philadelphia 76ers’ GM job, which ultimately went to Elton Brand.
Zanik has some personal connection to Chicago. He attended Northwestern University and started his player agent career there.
The Bulls are planning on interviewing Denver Nuggets general manager Arturas Karnisovas later this week, Wojnarowski reported.