The Bulls Sold a Reserve Forward to the Warriors for Picks
Chicago traded Jason Caffey to Golden State on February 19, 1998, taking back David Vaughn and second-round selections in 1998 and 2000. Caffey had been a bench forward on the Bulls championship teams but wasn't essential to their leading rotation. Golden State needed younger frontcourt players who could grow into larger roles. Chicago wanted draft flexibility while remaining focused on the 1998 title defense. The two second-rounders represented future options rather than guaranteed players, a distinction that matters when tracing the return.
Caffey Became a High-Minute Warriors Forward
After the February trade, Caffey played twenty-nine Golden State games in 1997-98, scoring 315 points. He followed with thirty-five games and thirty-two starts in 1998-99, then started fifty-six of seventy-one games in 1999-00. Across those receiving-team seasons he accumulated 135 games, ninety-four starts and 1,475 points. His work on the glass and ability to finish near the rim gave Golden State something resembling a dependable forward rotation. He later continued with Milwaukee, but those Bucks appearances aren't part of the Warriors trade return.
Chicago Waived Vaughn and Later Recycled Its Draft Capital
The Bulls waived Vaughn on March 2, 1998, less than two weeks after the agreement. The 1998 second-round pick became No. 34 Shammond Williams, but Chicago traded his rights to Atlanta on draft night as part of another multi-asset transaction. The 2000 pick was No. 32 A.J. Guyton, who did get NBA playing time with Chicago, though he did not become a core starter. These picks retained some utility, particularly as tradable rights, but the Bulls cannot claim Williams's entire future league record as a Chicago playing return.
The Forward's Real Starts Overwhelm Chicago's Direct Return
Golden State acquired a forward who started ninety-four games over the following seasons, while Chicago's immediately acquired player lasted days and its picks produced limited direct on-court success. Draft assets can retain value even when their eventual players move elsewhere, which prevents the Bulls from receiving a failing grade. But those secondary transactions should not overshadow the playing time Golden State actually secured. The inherited Bulls win largely misread which receiving team got durable NBA production. A Warriors win is firmly supported by Caffey's three partial seasons.
Final Verdict
Warriors Win. Golden State gets A- for Jason Caffey's 135 games, ninety-four starts and 1,475 points from February 1998 through 2000. Chicago earns C for David Vaughn's immediate waiver and second-round assets that became Shammond Williams and A.J. Guyton. Golden State obtained the actual starting forward, reversing the previous Bulls-favored result.