Credit: Tom Berg/WireImage/Photo By Raymond Boyd via Getty Images

NBA legend was supposed to play for Chicago Bulls years before joining Michael Jordan in 1996

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Jul 30, 2025 10:22 PM ET

This NBA legend’s wish to play for the Chicago Bulls had to wait for a decade.

Before the start of the 1986-87 NBA season, Michael Jordan had already started to establish himself as one of the most beloved superstars in the NBA.

While MJ was growing at an impressive rate, the Chicago Bulls were still far from being an NBA Championship contender. So it wasn’t a surprise that the Bulls had the No. 9 overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft.

Despite the draft class being a mediocre one, at best, a few players made names for themselves later in their careers, such as Dennis Rodman, Mark Price, and John Salley.

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

John Salley was promised by Jerry Krause to be selected by the Chicago Bulls

Jerry Krause, the mastermind behind the Bulls’ golden era in the 1990s, had a tough task of making a pick at the number nine spot.

However, according to Detroit Pistons legend John Salley, Krause had promised to call his name on draft night.

“I was supposed to be a Chicago Bull first, at least, that’s what Jerry Krause told me during my three meetings as a [college player]. He said, ‘I’m gonna draft you.’ Doug Collins’ like, ‘Yeah.’

“… Then they said, ‘The ninth pick, the Chicago Bulls,’ and I started buttoning my suit, and they said, ‘Brad Sellers,’ and then I stretched,” Salley said on The Rich Eisen Show.

Salley ultimately fell to the Pistons as the 11th overall pick in the 1986 NBA Draft. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Salley.

After all, he won two NBA Championships during his six-year stint with the Pistons. Salley ultimately found his way to the Bulls during the 1995-96 NBA season as he won a ring with Chicago.

John Salley made it a personal mission to dominate against Brad Sellers

Sellers, the Bulls’ original pick, had a lackluster NBA career as he was out of the league after just six seasons.

On top of that, Salley apparently made sure to bring his A-game to the table whenever he locked horns with Sellers on the hardwood.

“Jerry goes, ‘Hey, long tall, he [Sellers] shoots the ball better than you do. I said, ‘No, he doesn’t. Well, I’m going to take it out on him every time I play,'” Salley continued.

He added: “Brad Sellers is a good guy to me, but he didn’t know what my idea was. My idea was I’m going to play against you.

“I’m glad we won some of those games, but I was on a personal vendetta against him.”

For context, Salley shot 50.6% from the field throughout his career as compared to Sellers’ 45.2%. On top of that, Salley had a phenomenal 14-6 record against Sellers.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: