As “The Last Dance” debut that aired Sunday night touched upon, the Seattle SuperSonics traded the draft rights for Scottie Pippen to the Chicago Bulls in 1987.
Here were the terms of the deal, according to the Chicago Tribune:
- SuperSonics: Draft rights to No. 8 pick Olden Polynice; 1988 second-round pick (Sylvester Gray); option to exchange 1988 or 1989 first-round picks, top-three protected (B.J. Armstrong)
- Bulls receive: No. 5 pick Scottie Pippen; 1988 or 1989 pick swap (Jeff Sanders)
Polynice averaged about 4.6 points and 3.8 rebounds in a reserve role over three and a half years with the SuperSonics.
Seattle traded both picks before using them. The second-rounder was traded to the Boston Celtics for Sam Vincent and Scott Wedman.
Vincent played half a season in Seattle before being traded to Chicago for Sedale Threatt, who remained with the SuperSonics for three and a half seasons.
The first-round pick was traded back to the Bulls for Brad Sellers. Chicago used that pick on B.J. Armstrong, who became an important part of their first three-peat.
Seattle traded Sellers midseason for Steve Johnson, who played 21 games for the SuperSonics.
While in hindsight this trade was wildly lopsided, The Seattle Times noted context that helps stomach it a little easier. The 1987 team had made the playoffs behind shooting guard Dale Ellis, small forward Xavier McDaniel and power forward Tom Chambers, all of whom averaged more than 23 points per game. They also had point guard Nate McMillan.
At the time, it would have appeared that a defensive-minded center could elevate the team more than another wing.
Seattle got Polynice, a 6-foot-11 center, at No. 8 and then drafted power forward Derrick McKey at No. 9. The Seattle Times wrote that Polynice had an “intimidation presence” in college and McKey was also known for his defense.
With that said, it clearly didn’t work for Seattle. The SuperSonics missed out on a Hall of Famer and the Bulls won six championship with help from this trade.
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