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Chicago Bulls: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

Luke Askew|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 14: Jimmy Butler #21 and Doug McDermott #3 of the Chicago Bulls react after a made basket against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 115-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 14: Jimmy Butler #21 and Doug McDermott #3 of the Chicago Bulls react after a made basket against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 115-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

1. Jimmy Butler

  • Draft year: 2011
  • Pick: 30

Jimmy Butler is so much better than anyone on this list that it doesn’t even feel right to include him in the same set of rankings. He’s one of the best draft picks the Bulls have ever made, and he’s most definitely the best out of the last 10 first-rounders.

Butler was a 3x All-Star during his six seasons with the Bulls. He put up monster numbers in his final year, averaging 23.9 points per game on .455/.367/.865 shooting splits to go along with 6.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.9 steals. Those numbers earned him a spot on the All-NBA Third Team.

For three straight seasons, Butler was able to do something that not many players can say they’ve done. He was the best offensive and defensive player on a consistently solid team. (You could argue that Joakim Noah was the best defensive player on the Bulls for one of those three Butler seasons, but I’d call it a tie.)

Now, after a couple of tumultuous stops post-Chicago (Minnesota and Philly), Butler seems to have found his rightful home in Miami. The young guys appear to love him. The coaching staff appears to respect him. And most importantly, the Heat are winning games. There’s no ambiguity in the win/loss column.

Regardless of how Butler’s time in Chicago ended, he’ll always be a guy that Bulls fans cheer for. His success is one of the few bright spots of the 2019-20 season for Bulls Nation.

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