The Chicago Bulls Executive Vice President – Basketball Operations Artūras Karnišovas announced on July 13th the updates below and additions within the team’s basketball operations department ahead of the 2024-24 NBA regular season.
“These changes are steps toward ensuring the progress of the Bulls organization,” said Karnišovas. “We have brought in talented and well-respected people who have high standards and share our vision for success. Moreover, we have alignment and support between the front office and ownership, and we are all committed to bringing together a team that our fans can be proud of.”
Wes Unseld Jr. will join the Bulls as an assistant coach after serving three seasons (2021-2024) as the head coach for the Washington Wizards. Before his time with the Wizards, Unseld was assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets (2015-21), Orlando Magic (2012-14) and Golden State Warriors (2011-12).
He started his NBA career in 1997 as an advance/pro scout with Washington before being promoted to assistant coach status with the Wizards (2005-2011). Preceding his professional coaching career, Wes played collegiately at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.
Dan Craig joins Chicago as an assistant coach after four seasons as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Clippers (2020-2024), which was preceded by 17 campaigns with the Miami Heat (2003-2020). After he started his career as video intern with Miami in 2003, Craig spent 15 seasons as an assistant coach for the Heat and one season as the head coach of the team’s G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce (2015-16).
During his tenure with the Heat, Craig was part of three NBA Championship teams (2006, 2012, 2013) and was named 2015-16 G League Coach of the Year. He played college basketball at Plymouth State University before his professional coaching career started.
Eric Waters, a veteran athletic trainer and in the sports performance fields, returns to the Bulls as director of player health and performance for a second stint with the team. Waters was the assistant athletic trainer from 2000-2004. Most recently, he was the head athletic trainer for the Utah Jazz (2017-24), which succeeded 12 seasons (2004-16) as head athletic trainer for the Washington Wizards.
During his time with the Wizards, Waters was named the NBA’s Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2010 by the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association (NBATA).
He has degrees in exercise science and psychology from the University of Iowa and a master’s in exercise science from Boise State University. Besides his daily NBA experience, Waters has also held athletic training roles for the USA Men’s National Basketball Team, the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders Program and NFL Europe.
He is certified and licensed as an athletic trainer (ATC), strength and conditioning coach (CSCS), corrective exercise specialist (CES) and performance enhancement specialist (PES).
John Byrant has been promoted to the front of the bench after joining the Bulls as an assistant coach in 2020. Henry Domercant will take over as an assistant coach on the second bench, transitioning from his role as head coach of the Windy City Bulls. Billy Donovan III has been promoted to head coach of the Windy City Bulls.
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