Report: John Paxson Willing To Leave Bulls Entirely

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(670 The Score) The wonder, intrigue and concern about how John Paxson's presence might affect the Bulls' new lead basketball executive could be a moot conversation.
That's because Paxson is willing to step away from the Bulls entirely if that's what the organization and new executive deem is best, the Sun-Times reported Tuesday afternoon. Paxson has conveyed that message to Bulls ownership, the Sun-Times reported.

As the Bulls conduct their search for a new leader of basketball operations, the prevailaing belief had been that Paxson would transition to an advisory role, given the affinity chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and president Michael Reinsdorf have long had for him and his work.

Paxson took over as Bulls general manager in 2003 and later received a promotion to his current role of executive vice president of basketball operations. The Bulls have made 11 playoff trips in the 16 full seasons under Paxson's watch but have won just five playoff series in that time and have had just one trip to the Eastern Conference finals.

The Bulls have already interviewed Jazz general manager Justin Zanik for their lead executive role and plan to interview Nuggets general manager Arturas Karnisovas, according to reports.