Bulls NBA Draft History Repeat it self with Magic Johnson cooper flogg coin flip.

The Chicago Bulls, a storied franchise with a legendary past, find themselves in a position that could mirror one of the most consequential moments in NBA draft history — the 1979 coin flip that sent Magic Johnson to the Los Angeles Lakers. This moment not only reshaped the future of the Lakers, but also had ripple effects across the NBA for decades. Could the Bulls be standing at the edge of a similar turning point?

1979: A Flip of Fate for Magic

In 1979, the NBA’s method for determining the first overall pick in the draft involved a coin flip between the worst team in each conference. That year, the Chicago Bulls (Eastern Conference) and the New Orleans Jazz (Western Conference) were the two worst teams. However, the Jazz had traded their first-round pick to the Lakers years earlier for Gail Goodrich — a deal that would become one of the most lopsided in history.

The Lakers, who had finished with a winning record, essentially “borrowed” the Jazz’s poor record and became eligible for the coin flip. The Lakers won the flip and selected Magic Johnson with the No. 1 overall pick. The Bulls, who lost the flip, selected David Greenwood second overall — a serviceable player, but nowhere near the generational talent Magic would become.

In the same 1979 draft, the Lakers would also go on to draft Michael Cooper in the third round, another key contributor to their 1980s dynasty. That coin flip not only gave them Magic, but helped launch the “Showtime” era.

Fast Forward to 2025: The Bulls at a Crossroads

Fast forward to today, the Chicago Bulls are once again at a crossroads. With a roster stuck in mediocrity and a franchise in flux, they’re hoping for lottery luck in the 2025 NBA Draft. Their draft fate could once again rest on the flip of a coin — metaphorically, at least.

As of the end of the 2024–25 season, the Bulls have a slim chance to retain their first-round pick due to previous trades (potentially top-10 protected, depending on the deal). If the lottery balls bounce their way, they could leap into a top pick — and perhaps land a transformative star.

A Magic-Like Prospect in the 2025 Draft?

While no prospect is a guaranteed superstar, the 2025 draft features several players who could reshape a franchise. There’s speculation around dynamic guards and forwards with the type of playmaking and charisma that Magic Johnson once brought to the Lakers — think tall point forwards with elite vision, leadership, and high basketball IQ.

If the Bulls were to land such a player — not just a top talent, but a magnetic personality and leader — it could indeed be a “Magic moment” for Chicago. This hypothetical star could do for the Bulls what Magic did for L.A.: reinvigorate a franchise, attract free agents, and elevate team performance.

The Michael Cooper Parallel: Building a Core

In the 1979 draft, while Magic was the face, Michael Cooper became a defensive stalwart and glue guy — essential to L.A.’s championship core. The Bulls could also use a similar strategy. Beyond landing a star, building depth and defensive identity will be crucial.

Perhaps the Bulls can identify and develop undervalued talent later in the draft or through shrewd signings — players who may not be All-Stars, but are critical to winning. Think of Cooper’s impact: elite defense, team-first mentality, and the ability to guard multiple positions.

Can History Truly Repeat?

While today’s NBA lottery no longer hinges on a literal coin flip, the odds can still be just as fickle. Ping-pong balls and protective clauses determine the fate of franchises — sometimes in seemingly random fashion. If the Bulls’ pick conveys and lands high, fans may well look back on the 2025 draft as their modern-day 1979.

The parallels are uncanny: a historic franchise in need of a savior, a draft with potential franchise-changers, and a front office trying to redeem past missteps. All it takes is one stroke of lottery luck and the right selection — and suddenly, a new dynasty could be born.

Conclusion: A Chance to Rewrite the Narrative

For the Chicago Bulls, the lessons of history are clear. The coin flip of 1979 set the stage for one of the greatest NBA dynasties, but also marked a missed opportunity for the Bulls. In 2025, they may not control their fate entirely, but they can prepare to seize the moment if luck swings their way.

Should they land a pick in the top tier and make the right choice, it could be the beginning of a new era — perhaps not “Showtime,” but something uniquely Chicago. And maybe, just maybe, 2025 will be remembered the way 1979 was — as the year everything changed.

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