It’s time for Bulls’ Arturas Karnisovas to make coaching decision

There’s a fine line between due diligence and what looks like indecisiveness.

Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls’ new executive vice president of basketball operations, is inching toward the latter.

Simply put, Karnisovas was a 41 percent three-point shooter in six seasons of international play, and it’s time for him to shoot or get off the pot when it comes to Bulls coach Jim Boylen.

Boylen is liked by Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, president and CEO Michael Reins-dorf and former VP John Paxson, who’s now an adviser. He has multiple years left on his contract and, according to multiple sources, feels like the job is still his moving forward.

Karnisovas, the former Nuggets general manager who was hired in April, was willing to put in the work to build a relationship with Boylen, evaluate his standing with players and make a well-thought-out decision.

“Coaching in the league is very difficult,” he said in a Zoom meeting with reporters recently. “To make a decision about coaching is really hard. It’s probably the hardest thing for executives. So I look at a lot of aspects. I’ve had numerous conversations.

“Talking to players and coaches, obviously everyone is disappointed with the results last year. They definitely underperformed. . . . [But] in order for me to keep players and coaches accountable, I have to have personal relationships with them. That’s what I need to cultivate.’’

That sounded good at the start of June, but the NBA doesn’t wait for anyone. And the Knicks now have an advantage because they have a coaching vacancy. While Karnisovas is trying to be deliberate and fair in evaluating his new organization during the trying circumstances of the coronavirus pandemic, the Knicks are interviewing coaching candidates — including at least one, 76ers assistant coach Ime Udoka, whom the Sun-Times has reported to be atop the Bulls’ list of potential targets.

This offseason has been stellar for the Bulls, who landed the VP they wanted in Karnisovas and the general manager they sought in Marc Eversley, hires that were unanimously applauded across the NBA.

But it will mean nothing if they don’t hit on the right coach. All the good will built since April with a fan base that has felt betrayed for years stands to be lost.

If Karnisovas wants Boylen and believes he deserves another season, he should commit and announce it. The film has been watched. The Bulls’ .317 winning percentage doesn’t lie. And mixed feedback about Boylen from several key players hasn’t changed.

There’s also the idea of not stringing Boylen along. Give him an opportunity to start the process for his next gig if it isn’t with the Bulls.

If Karnisovas wants Udoka or Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin, go after him. Don’t settle for a candidate the Knicks pass on.

Oddly, the reality is that former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau is the best candidate for any head-coaching job and is likely going to land the Knicks job, considering his relationship with their new front office.

But what if Udoka nails his interview? Why play a game of chicken?

Let it fly, Arturas.