Karnisovas and Zanik are the first two candidates publicly known to be in line for interviews. Both are currently No. 2 in command in their basketball operations departments.
Two other targets of the Bulls are Raptors general manager Bobby Webster and Heat assistant general manager Adam Simon, but doubt persists in league circles that their teams will allow them to interview with Chicago, according to reports.
Karnisovas, 48, has worked in the Nuggets' front office since 2013, playing a key role as Denver built a Western Conference contender primarily through the draft. He's credited with helping the Nuggets find and draft star center Nikola Jokic in the second round in 2014. In years past, Karnisovas has been a candidate for the Nets and Bucks in their front office searches. A native of Lithuania who has a long international playing career, Karnisovas worked in the NBA league office and as a Rockets scout before joining the Nuggets.
Zanik is in his second stint with the Jazz, this one starting in 2017 when he was again added as their assistant general manager. He held that position for them previously as well before he spent the 2016-'17 season as the Bucks' assistant general manager. Zanik was thought to be the general manager-in-waiting in Milwaukee, but that fell through, so he returned to Utah. Zanik was promoted to be the Jazz's general manager in 2019.
Prior to joining the Jazz this first time around, Zanik was a sports agent for 15 years.