Denver Nuggets general manager Arturas Karnisovas emerged as the favorite to take over the top executive position for the Chicago Bulls, league sources told Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo! Sports.

Karnisovas impressed the team with his draft record and player development ability.

The team also interviewed Jazz executive Justin Zanik, though the Jazz intend to keep Zanik in the organization. 

Two other rumored candidates in Miami’s Adam Simon and Indiana’s Chad Buchanan dropped out of the running for the role.

John Paxson recently stated that he is willing to completely leave the organization if that's what the new executive prefers.