In NBA history, few trades have left as profound an impact as the one that brought Scottie Pippen to the Chicago Bulls in 1987. But behind the glory of one of basketball’s greatest legends lies the story of another star—someone drafted by the Bulls but instantly traded, never even getting the chance to don the team’s iconic jersey. That player was Olden Polynice, a promising center from the University of Virginia, who became the “trade piece” in the deal that brought Scottie Pippen, a cornerstone of the Bulls’ championship dynasty, to Chicago.
The Context of the 1987 NBA Draft
In 1987, the Chicago Bulls were in the midst of building around their superstar, Michael Jordan. With Jordan as the team’s centerpiece, the front office, led by general manager Jerry Krause, knew they needed a versatile player who could complement Jordan’s game on both ends of the court to elevate the team to new heights. Their target was Scottie Pippen, a young talent from Central Arkansas who had impressed in pre-draft workouts.
However, the Bulls held only the 8th pick in the 1987 NBA Draft, while Pippen was projected to be selected earlier. To secure Pippen, Krause made a bold move: he negotiated a trade with the Seattle SuperSonics, who held the 5th pick, to execute a swap even before the draft began.
Olden Polynice: The Forgotten Star
With the 8th pick, the Chicago Bulls selected Olden Polynice, a 6-foot-11 center from the University of Virginia. Polynice was seen as a promising talent with strong defensive skills and an ideal frame for the center position. However, he never got the chance to prove himself in Chicago. Immediately after being drafted, Polynice was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics in exchange for the rights to Scottie Pippen, whom the SuperSonics had selected at No. 5, along with future draft picks.
In an interview on Byron Scott’s Fast Break podcast, Polynice revealed that the trade had been finalized before the draft even took place. He said, “The crazy thing is, when it happened, they had already made the deal beforehand. The NBA back then had weird rules where you couldn’t announce trades until the draft started. The deal was done; Chicago got the 5th pick, and Seattle got the 8th.”
Polynice didn’t even have the opportunity to wear a Bulls jersey or play a single minute for the team. He became part of history, but in a way no one would wish for—a “trade piece” in a deal that transformed the Bulls’ future.
Scottie Pippen: The Perfect Partner for Michael Jordan
While Polynice’s fate was tied to obscurity, Scottie Pippen quickly became one of the NBA’s all-time greats. Selected by the Seattle SuperSonics but immediately traded to the Bulls, Pippen proved his worth with his rare versatility. He wasn’t just an elite defender but also a dynamic offensive player capable of scoring, playmaking, and rebounding. Standing at 6 feet 7 inches with speed and top-tier defensive instincts, Pippen became the ideal partner for Michael Jordan.
Over his first 11 seasons with the Bulls, Pippen helped lead the team to six NBA championships (1991–1993, 1996–1998). He earned seven All-Star selections, three All-NBA First Team honors, and eight consecutive All-Defensive First Team nods. Pippen wasn’t just a sidekick; he was one of the greatest players in NBA history, named to the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team in 1996.
In his unpublished memoir, Jerry Krause described discovering Pippen as “love at first sight.” He was captivated by Pippen’s speed, agility, and lateral movement during a pre-draft workout, where Pippen set a record in an 11-year-old “three-ball drill.” Krause believed Pippen and Jordan would form a perfect duo, and he was proven right.
Olden Polynice: The Journey After the Trade
Though he couldn’t become part of the Bulls’ dynasty, Olden Polynice still had a respectable NBA career. He played 15 seasons in the league, suiting up for teams like the Seattle SuperSonics, Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz. His most successful stint was with the Sacramento Kings, where he averaged 10.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game over five seasons.
However, Polynice’s career paled in comparison to Pippen’s achievements. In his interview with Byron Scott, Polynice expressed confidence that, had he stayed in Chicago, he could have contributed to a few championships. He even took a playful jab at Pippen, referencing Pippen’s struggles with migraines during the 1998 playoffs, saying, “I didn’t get migraines when I played… unlike a certain someone!”
Still, Polynice acknowledged that the trade was legitimate under the NBA’s rules at the time. He held no grudges, but being the “trade piece” in a historic deal left an indelible mark on his career.
The Legacy of the Trade
The 1987 trade between the Chicago Bulls and Seattle SuperSonics is considered one of the most lopsided deals in NBA history. While Pippen became a legend, helping the Bulls build a championship dynasty, Polynice had a solid but unremarkable career. Jerry Krause’s keen eye for talent led to a move that changed the fortunes of both franchises. The Bulls not only acquired Pippen but also selected Horace Grant with the 10th pick in the same draft, forming the iconic Jordan-Pippen-Grant trio that powered the team to three consecutive titles from 1991 to 1993.
For Olden Polynice, his story serves as a reminder of the harsh realities of professional sports. No matter how talented, a player’s fate can hinge on decisions beyond their control. He can take pride in his career, but to fans, he will forever be remembered as “the player traded for Scottie Pippen.”
Conclusion
The story of Olden Polynice and Scottie Pippen is a dramatic chapter in NBA history. One became a legend, while the other became a “what if” tale. The 1987 trade not only altered the destinies of two players but also reshaped the Chicago Bulls’ history, transforming them from a promising team into a legendary dynasty. For Polynice, though he didn’t achieve Pippen’s glory, he left his mark on the league, proving that even in the face of fate’s cruel twists, talent and perseverance can still shine through.