Chicago Acquired Wing Depth for a Final Title Chase
The Bulls traded Dickey Simpkins to Golden State for Scott Burrell on September 22, 1997. Chicago was preparing for the final season of its Michael Jordan-Scottie Pippen championship group and wanted an athletic wing who could relieve the regulars without requiring featured possessions. Burrell had played for Charlotte and Golden State the previous year, and he offered size plus some outside shooting from the bench. The Warriors instead took a young forward with previous Bulls experience who could be evaluated in a more open frontcourt rotation. The league ledger and Chicago's transaction history list a straightforward one-for-one player swap.
Burrell Played in Every Bulls Postseason Game
Burrell appeared in 80 Bulls regular-season games in 1997-98, averaging 5.2 points and 2.5 rebounds in 13.7 minutes. He made 51 three-pointers and added 64 steals, giving Chicago tangible reserve production while it won 62 games. In the postseason he played all 21 Bulls games, totaling 260 minutes and 80 points during the run to the franchise's sixth NBA title in eight seasons. Burrell was not the main reason the Bulls won; Jordan and Pippen still carried the most difficult work. But he was an available wing throughout the season and postseason, which was precisely the contribution this trade was meant to secure.
Simpkins Played Only 19 Warriors Games Before Being Waived
The Golden State return lasted a much shorter time. Simpkins played 19 regular-season games for the Warriors in 1997-98, logging 196 minutes and averaging 2.8 points. The club waived him on February 17, 1998. Chicago re-signed him on March 2, a separate free-agent transaction that gave the Bulls another familiar reserve late in the season. That later signing does not mean the Warriors received additional value from Simpkins, and Chicago's subsequent use of him does not erase the original trade. The relevant incoming Golden State contribution is the 19-game reserve stint before the waiver.
The Championship Context Makes the Return Distinct
Chicago traded a player it did not need as much for Burrell, who stayed healthy and served in both the regular season and playoffs. Golden State received fewer than twenty games before releasing Simpkins, and the Warriors finished with a poor record rather than extracting a lasting rotation piece. The trade did not by itself secure the 1998 title, and awarding Burrell the achievements of Jordan's roster would exaggerate his individual role. Still, 80 regular-season and 21 postseason appearances are much more substantial than 19 games and an early waiver. That disparity warrants a stronger Chicago verdict than the previous modest edge suggested.
Final Verdict
Bulls Win. Chicago earns B+ for Scott Burrell's 80 regular-season and 21 playoff appearances in the 1997-98 championship season. Golden State gets D+ for Dickey Simpkins's 19 games and 196 minutes before his February waiver. Chicago later re-signed Simpkins separately, but that doesn't add to the Warriors' trade return.