Chicago Gave Indiana a Veteran Guard for Two Future Choices
On September 18, 1986, the Bulls traded Kyle Macy to Indiana for a 1988 second-round pick and another second-round selection that eventually conveyed in 1992. The Pacers' official franchise transaction history verifies the two-pick price. Macy had been a full-time Chicago starter in 1985-86, but moving him allowed the Bulls to pursue a different guard mix without losing the value of his expiring role entirely. Indiana sought an experienced reserve, while Chicago obtained two draft opportunities with different arrival dates. The 1988 pick later became No. 37 and the 1992 selection No. 39; neither was a first-round asset.
The Earlier Pick Helped Chicago Acquire Rory Sparrow
Chicago didn't use the 1988 second-round selection to draft Greg Butler. On November 12, 1987, the Bulls sent that choice to the Knicks for guard Rory Sparrow. Contemporary UPI reporting specified that New York received the lower of Chicago's two second-rounders, tracing the pick back to the Indiana transaction. Sparrow played 55 Bulls regular-season games in 1987-88 and averaged 4.5 points and 2.9 assists. That was reserve production, not a star acquisition, but it represents a basketball use for the asset. Chicago held its other pick until 1992, selected Litterial Green at No. 39, and traded his draft rights to Orlando for a 1993 second-rounder. The two branches should be evaluated as different transactions, not double-counted as Bulls player careers.
Macy Delivered One Season of Indiana Backup Minutes
Macy appeared in 76 games for the 1986-87 Pacers, starting none and averaging 16.4 minutes, 4.9 points and 2.6 assists. He also played in four playoff games. Those totals document a useful but limited veteran presence behind Indiana's regular guards. The Pacers' B- grade reflects the stability of having another experienced option for that season, with no later extended run for the team. Chicago's B+ advantage is modest in raw on-court production but reflects two separate assets that the front office could reuse. The verdict doesn't require claiming Butler or Green became Chicago rotation players: neither did, and only Sparrow's later Bulls minutes flowed from the first pick.
Final Verdict
Bulls Win. Chicago earns B+ for two future second-round picks, one used to acquire Rory Sparrow and the other eventually traded after the Litterial Green selection. Indiana receives B- for one reserve season from Kyle Macy. The Bulls retained more opportunities to exchange their assets for additional roster help.