Chicago Bulls’ Award-winning GM Jerry Krause dead at 77

Jerry Krause, who was the GM of the Bulls’ six title teams, died Tuesday afternoon at the age of 77.

Nearly 20 years after the Bulls last NBA title, a key piece to the puzzle has passed away. Chicago native Jerry Krause died today at the age of 77, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Krause was a two-time recipient of the NBA’s Executive of the Year.

Krasue began his professional basketball career as a scout for the Washington Bullets. Ironically, Krause urged the organization to draft Phil Jackson in 1967. However, the team went a different direction.

He took over in 1985 as the general manager. Eventually, Krause would be credited with drafting player such as Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant in the 1987 NBA Draft. Krause was in the GM slot while Chicago won six NBA championships in eight seasons.

He continued his role with the Bulls until the early 2000’s. Krause also worked for the MLB’s Mets, Yankees and Diamondbacks as a scout.

On the other hand, not every transaction made by Krause was popular. Against Michael Jordan’s request, Krause traded Charles Oakley to the New York Knicks for Bill Cartwright. Krause insisted the Bulls needed a center.

Over the years, Krause’s relationship with Jackson deteriorated. Following the 1998 season, Jackson left Chicago to pursue an opportunity with the Los Angeles Lakers. Krause claimed the two had not spoken once Jackson left the Bulls.

Following the 2003 season, Krause left the Bulls. He cited his health as the main reason for his retirement. Within three seasons of his absence, all of the his young, athletic prospects had been traded or out of the NBA.

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Krause attended Taft William Howard Taft High School in Chicago before attending Bradley University in downstate Peoria, Ill. Krause will be remembered most for his influence during the Bulls title runs throughout the 1990’s. His cause of death is not known.