Chicago Paid a Second-Round Choice for Elston Turner’s Free-Agent Rights
On October 4, 1986, Chicago signed veteran guard Elston Turner after Denver agreed not to exercise a contractual right of first refusal. In compensation, the Bulls sent a 1988 second-round draft selection to the Nuggets. The pick eventually became No. 43, used on Todd Mitchell. Both Denver and Chicago transaction ledgers separately record the rights decision and its draft compensation, while the more detailed Pro Sports Transactions register identifies the date and conditions. Turner was not an established Bulls player whom Denver sold for a rookie; he was a free agent whose former team retained the ability to match an offer. Chicago gained permission to add defensive guard depth, while Denver received a future selection instead of keeping the veteran.
Turner Offered Chicago a Veteran Defensive Option
Turner had developed a reputation as a physical perimeter defender during his years with Denver. The Bulls were building around Michael Jordan and needed supporting guards who could cover defensive possessions and share minutes with younger players. Turner could contribute within that structure without taking a large number of shots away from Jordan. His Chicago role was a complement to the team’s stars rather than a new first-option scorer, and the contract was reported as a three-year agreement with only one year guaranteed. The inherited Chicago D+ grade reflects the limited long-term role and the cost of a future draft choice. It should not imply that Turner’s earlier defensive years for Denver count as production after he joined the Bulls, nor that Chicago obtained a new starting All-Star.
Denver Held a Real Selection but Did Not Gain a Future Star
The Nuggets received a 1988 second-rounder instead of another veteran player. The selection became No. 43 Todd Mitchell, a late-round prospect rather than a guaranteed NBA starter. Mitchell’s eventual selection must be distinguished from meaningful Denver regular-season production: acquiring a draft right was the immediate return, and any later player career would need to be attributed to the team that actually rostered him. Denver’s C- inherited grade narrowly exceeds Chicago’s D+, even though no major scorer arrived directly. The transaction is chiefly a story about the value of retaining free-agent compensation rights under the rules of the period. Both teams accepted relatively modest upside: the Bulls received a wing defender, and the Nuggets a later opportunity to draft or exchange talent.
Final Verdict
Slight Nuggets Edge. Denver receives C- after receiving the 1988 second-round pick used on Todd Mitchell at No. 43 in return for releasing its matching right on Elston Turner. Chicago earns D+ for adding the veteran defender. Neither side acquired a sustained new offensive star directly through this compensation agreement.