1. Eddie Robinson, Small Forward
The last mostly failed free agent signing on this list as Krause was trying to rebuild the Bulls in the image he wanted in the early 2000’s was 6-foot-8 former University of Central Oklahoma small forward Eddie Robinson. Krause tried his hand at taking on another big man from a smaller school in Oklahoma, but it didn’t work out well this time around.
Dennis Rodman was a product of Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Robinson had a rather effective start to his NBA career out of UCO, posting a 2.5 box plus/minus rating, 1.4 value over replacement player rating, .159 win shares per 48 minutes, and a 55.9 true shooting percentage, during his second year in the league. He started his career in the first two years with the Charlotte Hornets.
Krause seemed to be so impressed by what Robinson did with the Hornets that he handed him a contract that featured a salary worth well over $25 million. Robinson would really only give the Bulls one decent season that wasn’t filled with injury problems and inconsistencies. There was never a single season where Robinson would average double-digit points per game or a positive box plus/minus rating in three tries with the Bulls.
The real value that Robinson brought to the table was shown when Paxson bought him out and he finished up the rest of his basketball career in the D-League and in the NBL Canada. He has most recently competed in Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league. Krause really bought into the star potential of Robinson, but it was way too early to do so.