NEWSLETTER
After five seasons in the league, former Chicago Bulls first-rounder Chandler Hutchison has retired, per Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel.
Hutchison, who was currently a member of the Sioux Fall Skyforce of the G-League, played four seasons at Boise State before entering the NBA. The Bulls drafted the athletic forward with the No. 22 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, and he went on to play just 79 of a possible 190 games for the franchise.
After a front office overhaul, Arturas Karnisovas eventually sent Hutchison to the Washington Wizards as part of the three-team deal that included the Celtics (this was the same trade that netted Chicago Javonte Green). Hutchison appeared in just 18 games for the Wizards before he found himself sent to the Spurs in the offseason, where he was then waived.
The Phoenix Suns came calling during the 2021-22 season to hand him a two-way contract, but it ultimately led to nothing and Hutchison found himself signing with a G-League squad this season.
All things considered, the choice doesn’t feel like a normal one for someone who is still just 26 years old. But it’s also no secret that Hutchison had struggled with an injury-prone label since he entered the league, and he also could never seem to make the most of his opportunities whenever he was on the NBA floor.
It’s truly crazy to think about what has come of the Bulls’ draft picks over the past decade or so. First-round picks like Tony Snell, Denzel Valentine, and Hutchison are all basically out of the league. Meanwhile, some of the bigger names like Bobby Portis, Lauri Markkanen (technically drafted by Minnesota), and Wendell Carter Jr. are all playing elsewhere. Gosh, I can only hope this trend of not hitting on (or keeping) drafted players ends soon!
Anyway, happy retirement, Chandler.
