The Chicago Bulls are scheduled to have the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Let’s take a look at the Bulls best NBA draft picks in franchise history. It’s not necessarily the 10 best players ranked in order as where they were selected was taken into consideration. Keep in mind Scottie Pippen and Luol Deng were acquired in a draft-day deal, thus not drafted by the team. Only time with the team is credited. We shall see if an active Bulls draft pick such as Coby White can play their way onto the list in the near future. Honorable mentions that were heavily considered include Tom Boerwinkle, Clifford Ray, Dave Greenwood, Elton Brand, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, and Taj Gibson. Norm Van Lier was also considered, but ultimately left off due to beginning his NBA career with another team.
10 Best NBA Draft Picks In Chicago Bulls History
10. B.J. Armstrong (18th overall, 1989)
Standing at 6-foot-2, B.J. Armstrong was a member of the Bulls first three championship teams from 1991-93. In seven years with the franchise, he missed just one regular season game (during his rookie year). Armstrong earned a trip to the All-Star Game in the 1993-94 season.
9. Orlando Woolridge (6th overall, 1981)
Orlando Woolridge was an excellent scorer during his five years on the Bulls. He averaged at least 19.3 points per game in the last three seasons with them. Woolridge was also an efficient scorer, shooting over 50% from the field his first four years.
8. Reggie Theus (9th overall, 1978)
The runner-up for 1978-79 Rookie of the Year, Reggie Theus played 5.5 seasons for the Bulls. He never missed a game in his first five years and twice was named an All-Star. He is 10th in franchise history with 8,279 points.
7. Joakim Noah (9th overall, 2007)
In his nine years as a Chicago Bulls player, Joakim Noah made quite the impact on the defensive end. The 6-foot-11 center won Defensive Player of the Year in 2013-14 and earned three All-Defensive team nods. He is third in team history in blocks (803) and fourth in rebounds (5,387).
6. Toni Kukoc (29th overall, 1990)
While he didn’t join the Bulls right away after being drafted, Toni Kukoc was on the team’s second three-peat. The Croatian won Sixth Man of the Year in 1996-97 and was runner-up the following year. Kukoc averaged a career-best 18.8 points in 1998-99.
5. Horace Grant (10th overall, 1987)
Playing his first seven season with the Bulls, Horace Grant was a part of the team’s first three-peat. His last two seasons saw the 6-foot-10 forward named to the All-Defensive Second Team (also named an All-Star in 1993-94). Grant twice averaged a double-double in points and rebounds with Chicago.
4. Jimmy Butler (30th overall, 2011)
The last first round pick in the 2011 draft, Jimmy Butler certainly exceeded all expectations. He was named Most Improved Player in 2014-15, made the All-Defensive Second Team three times, and was an All-Star three times during his six Bulls seasons. Butler averaged at least 20 points per contest in each of his last three years with the team.
3. Derrick Rose (1st overall, 2008)
At the age of just 23, Derrick Rose was named the youngest MVP in league history in 2010-11. While injuries caused him to miss a lot of time, his ceiling was higher than anyone here other than the top guy. From 2009-10 until 2011-12, Rose averaged 22.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 7.1 assists.
2. Artis Gilmore (117th overall, 1971)
Artis Gilmore didn’t join the Bulls until after he played five years in the ABA. Once he joined them, he made five All-Star teams and led the league in field goal percentage four times. The 7-foot-2 center had five seasons with Chicago where he averaged more than 17 points and 10 rebounds.
1. Michael Jordan (3rd overall, 1984)
Whether or not Michael Jordan is the GOAT is up for debate, but there’s no debate that he’s the GOAT Bulls draft pick. The accolades would be too long to list, but he won six titles with Chicago and was Finals MVP for every one. Jordan won 10 scoring titles and averaged 31.5 points in a Bulls uniform.
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