The Chicago Bulls received permission to interview five candidates to be their new head of basketball operations, ESPN reported Monday.

The Bulls plan to start meetings this week with Minnesota Timberwolves general manager Matt Lloyd, Detroit Pistons senior vice president Dennis Lindsey, Atlanta Hawks senior VP Bryson Graham, Cleveland Cavaliers GM Mike Gansey and San Antonio Spurs assistant GM Dave Telep, per the report.

Chicago is also expected to interview agent Austin Brown, co-head of CAA’s basketball division, sources told ESPN.

On April 6, the Bulls parted ways with executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley after six seasons and just one playoff appearance.

Coming off a 31-51 campaign, the Bulls reportedly want to hire their new decision-maker prior to the May 10-17 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.

No matter who gets the job, head coach Billy Donovan’s job appears to be safe thanks to his public backing by Bulls chief executive and president Michael Reinsdorf.

“If I interview someone and they’re not sold on Billy, they’re not sold on a Hall of Fame coach; they’re not sold on a person who’s won championships in college, who’s gone deep in the playoffs with Oklahoma City,” Reinsdorf said earlier this month. “… If Billy wants to be our coach and someone’s not interested in that, then they’re probably not the right candidate for us.”

–Field Level Media