- The Chicago Bulls traded the draft rights of Olden Polynice for Scottie Pippen’s draft rights.
- The Bulls dealt Will Perdue to the San Antonio Spurs for Dennis Rodman.
- Derrick Rose was traded from Chicago to the New York Knicks in 2016.
The Chicago Bulls won six championships across two three-peats during the 1990s, as their championship basketball odds were unimaginably short during those years.
Some of the trades the Bulls pulled off helped them improve their NBA odds of winning those rings.
With that said, what are the seven biggest trades in Bulls history? Let’s find out.
7 Biggest Chicago Bulls Trades in Team History
1. Olden Polynice, Second-Round Pick, and First-Round Pick for Scottie Pippen and First-Round Pick
When the Bulls traded the draft rights of Olden Polynice (No. 8 overall) to the Seattle SuperSonics for Scottie Pippen (No. 5 overall) in 1978, little did they know they were about to acquire the Robin to Michael Jordan’s Batman during Chicago’s two three-peats.
Pippen and Jordan formed one of the greatest duos in NBA history, as the former embraced his role as a versatile scorer and suffocating perimeter defender.
The seven-time All-Star was named to seven All-NBA Teams and 10 NBA All-Defensive Teams.
2. Will Perdue for Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman gave Jordan and the Bulls plenty of problems in the playoffs when he was a member of the “Bad Boy” Detroit Pistons.
However, Rodman turned from foe to friend after Chicago traded Will Perdue to the San Antonio Spurs for the two-time Defensive Player of the Year in 1995.
Rodman provided a much-needed spark for the Bulls during their second three-peat, as he was never afraid to get under his opponents’ skin and put his body on the line to grab every rebound.
3. Derrick Rose, Justin Holiday, and Second-Round Pick for Robin Lopez, José Calderón, and Jerian Grant
Derrick Rose will forever be a beloved figure in Chicago, as he took home NBA MVP honours at just 22 years old in 2011, becoming the youngest MVP in league history.
However, Rose struggled to regain his superstar form after dealing with an ACL tear, leading the Bulls to trade their hometown hero to the New York Knicks in 2016.
Rose’s highlights, including many acrobatic dunks and layups, will forever live in the hearts and minds of Chicago fans.
4. Charles Oakley, First-Round Pick, and Third-Round Pick for Bill Cartwright, First-Round Pick, and Third-Round Pick
The Bulls were seeking a true defensive anchor at the center position, and that’s what Bill Cartwright provided for Jordan and company during their first three-peat.
Cartwright was traded from the New York Knicks in 1988, as the Bulls and Knicks swapped picks in the first and third rounds.
5. Flynn Robinson for Bob Love and Bob Weiss
Bob Love was traded from the Milwaukee Bucks in 1968, as he averaged 21.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in his 592 games with the Bulls.
Love has the third-most points in franchise history.
6. Jimmy Butler and First-Round Pick for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and First-Round Pick
Jimmy Butler, the 30th pick of the 2011 NBA Draft, broke out into a star alongside Rose, as he helped get the Bulls to the Eastern Conference finals in 2015.
Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, as the first-round pick they acquired turned into Lauri Markkanen.
7. Zach LaVine and Two Second-Round Picks for Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter, and First-Round Pick
Zach LaVine had several high-scoring and high-flying years in Chicago before he was dealt to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team trade that sent De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio.
The Spurs sent the Bulls their own 2025 first-round pick back, which could help give Chicago its next franchise-changing star.