Chicago Bulls: The 5 Greatest General Managers in Team History

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The Chicago Bulls have captured six NBA titles, the third most in league history. They've also advanced to the postseason 30 times in their 45 years of existence.

The reason for the Bulls' success has been the play of stars like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Jerry Sloan, plus the coaching of guys like Phil Jackson and Dick Motta.

But star players and great coaches wouldn't have ever arrived in Chicago if it wasn't for wise decision-making general managers.

Here's a list of the five best GM's in Bulls history.

5. Pat Williams

Williams has enjoyed a stellar career as an NBA executive.

In Philadelphia, he purchased Julius Erving from the ABA, traded for Moses Malone and drafted Charles Barkley. And in Orlando, he drafted Shaquille O'Neal and traded for Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway.

Williams' tenure in Chicago was pretty good as well. He traded for Bulls legends Chet Walker and Norm Van Lier, two All-Stars who helped the team experience success in the 1970s.   

4. John Paxson

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Paxson spent nine seasons as a sharp-shooting role player for the Bulls.

He's best known for his clutch three-pointer in the 1993 NBA Finals, which helped the team win their third consecutive title.

In 2003, Paxson became the Bulls' GM, a position that he held until 2009, when he was replaced by Gar Forman.

Paxson drafted Ben Gordon and traded for Luol Deng in 2004—moves that would help the Bulls reach the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Paxson made a mistake in 2006 by trading LaMarcus Aldridge to Portland for Tyrus Thomas. However, he certainly redeemed himself two years later with his decision to draft 2011 MVP Derrick Rose over Michael Beasley. 

3. Dick Klein

The late Dick Klein founded the Bulls back in 1966 and served as the team's first general manager.

He selected two-time All-Star Jerry Sloan in the NBA expansion draft and hired the great Johnny "Red" Kerr as the ball club's inaugural head coach. 

Klein also drafted center Tom Boerwinkle and traded for Bulls legend Bob Love, whose No. 10 is one of four numbers retired by the team.        

2. Rod Thorn

Currently with the Philadelphia 76ers, Thorn was the Bulls' GM from the late 1970s until the mid 1980s.

He drafted two-time All-Star Reggie Theus ninth overall in 1978, then 20-point-per-game scorer Orlando Woolridge sixth overall in 1981.

But Thorn's best decision came in 1984 when he used the third overall pick on Michael Jordan, who most fans consider the greatest player in NBA history.

Thorn very well could've taken Jordan's college teammate Sam Perkins or center Mel Turpin. Nothing against those two, but neither would've led the Bulls to six titles.

With that said, Chicago sports fans owe Mr. Thorn a lot of thanks.

1. Jerry Krause

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The Bulls won all six of their championships with Krause as the team's GM.

Krause didn't draft Michael Jordan, but he did turn Olden Polynice into Scottie Pippen and Will Perdue into Dennis Rodman.

Wow, now those were two ridiculously smart trades.

In addition, he hired coach Phil Jackson, drafted Horace Grant, B.J. Armstrong and Toni Kukoc, traded for Bill Cartwright and signed both Ron Harper and Steve Kerr.  

Krause made a slew of excellent moves, but he also made some not-so-lovely ones as well.

He drafted the underachieving Marcus Fizer, traded Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler, who never became a star in Chicago and handed Eddie Robinson a $30 million contract.

And many fans hate Krause for dismantling the Bulls dynasty a year too early.

However, he still deserves the No. 1 spot on this list since he surrounded Jordan with a top-notch supporting cast.