Seattle received 1993 second round pick (#52-Mike Peplowski) and sent Sonics agreed to not select B.J. Armstrong with the #16 or #17 pick in the 1989 NBA draft. The long-term value clearly favored Bulls.
The Bulls entered the 1989 draft targeting B.J. Armstrong at No. 18 while Seattle controlled the two selections immediately ahead at Nos. 16 and 17. Chicago sent the SuperSonics a future second-round pick in exchange for Seattle agreeing not to take Armstrong. The transaction therefore bought draft-position certainty rather than moving a player or first-round pick.
Chicago selected Armstrong at No. 18, and he became the starting point guard during the middle of the Bulls’ first three-peat. He played six seasons in his first Chicago stint, won three championships and made the 1994 All-Star team. That is unusually strong realized value from a side agreement whose only cost was a future second-round pick.
The compensation pick eventually landed at No. 52 in the 1993 draft and became Mike Peplowski. Seattle received a real draft asset, but the pick produced little NBA value compared with what Armstrong delivered in Chicago. The comparison is especially direct because the Bulls’ benefit was not Armstrong’s availability in theory; it was the right to draft him without Seattle using either preceding pick.
Seattle did not transfer B.J. Armstrong's draft rights to Chicago. The SuperSonics agreed not to use the No. 16 or No. 17 choices on the guard, while the Bulls still had to draft him with their own selection at No. 18. Chicago therefore paid a future second to protect a specific opportunity rather than to acquire a completed player. That arrangement worked because Armstrong went on to become a starter during the Bulls' championship run and an All-Star in 1994. Seattle's future second conveyed in 1993 at No. 52 and was associated with Mike Peplowski, who did not provide a comparable return. Distinguishing the draft promise from the eventual Bulls selection makes the transaction more accurate and explains the A- versus C grades.
Bulls Win — Chicago A-, Seattle C. Chicago gave up only a future second to secure the chance to draft B.J. Armstrong, who became a three-time champion and an All-Star in his first Bulls tenure. Seattle’s compensation eventually became Mike Peplowski at No. 52 and did not produce comparable value. This is a clear case where paying for draft certainty worked exceptionally well.