Jerry Krause
Inducted:
2017
Player Stats:
Born:
April 6, 1939
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died:
March 21, 2017
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Position:
Contributor
College:
Bradley University
Jerry Krause was the mastermind behind the Chicago Bulls’ six NBA championships in the 1990s. As general manager from 1985 to 2003, he built championship rosters by drafting key players like Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, Toni Kukoc, and trading for Dennis Rodman, while hiring Phil Jackson to coach. Working behind the scenes, Krause assembled all contributors except Michael Jordan, creating two separate three-peats that transformed the Bulls into a global powerhouse.
His sharp eye for talent and bold roster moves earned him NBA Executive of the Year twice. Though often underappreciated during his career, his leadership and vision reshaped NBA team-building. Enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 as a contributor, Krause’s legacy endures as one of the greatest architects in basketball history.
Krause's Awards & Records:
- 6× NBA champion (1991–1993, 1996–1998)
- 2× NBA Executive of the Year (1988, 1996)
- Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor
- Built two NBA three-peats during the Jordan-Pippen era
- Recognized as master talent evaluator, drafting and acquiring multiple Hall of Fame-level players
Career :
As General Manager-
Chicago Bulls (1985 to 2003)
Notable Contributions:
Chicago Bulls GM and Executive VP (1985–2003):
Architect of six NBA titles: 1991–93 and 1996–98
NBA Executive of the Year:
1988 and 1996
Draft & Transactions Highlights:
Acquired Pippen, Grant, Kukoc; traded for Cartwright and Rodman; signed Harper, Kerr, Longley, Paxson
Scout for NBA & MLB teams:
Instrumental in discovering Earl Monroe, Wes Unseld, Michael Cooper, Jerry Sloan among others