Michael Jordan honors Stacey King’s legacy after the Bulls great and broadcaster died at 59

The Chicago Bulls announced the death of former forward Stacey King at age 59, prompting tributes from across the NBA community. One of the most prominent came from Michael Jordan, who said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of King’s passing and recalled the “special years” the two shared as teammates.

Jordan’s tribute framed King as more than a role player in a historic run. Jordan said King was part of the group that helped define an era of Chicago Bulls basketball, language that echoed King’s reputation as a dependable presence during the Bulls’ early 1990s dynasty. The quote underscored how championship teams often rely on more than just the headline stars, especially in the playoffs where rotations tighten and veterans with specific skill sets become vital.

King joined the Bulls in the 1989 NBA Draft, selected with the No. 6 overall pick. According to reporting on Jordan’s comments, King spent his early NBA years mostly in a reserve role, but his rookie season included a notable impact on the glass, when he led Chicago in rebounds. That kind of steady production, often delivered without commanding headlines, aligned with the Bulls’ approach to building depth around their core.

King stayed with Chicago as the championship window opened. The Bulls won three consecutive NBA titles with King on the roster, with the seasons of the first three-peat spanning 1991, 1992, and 1993. While his regular-season time fluctuated, reporting on the tribute noted that his postseason minutes with Chicago were in the high single digits and that his role grew at certain points, reflecting the ebb and flow of playoff matchups.

The story of King’s Bulls career also included a transition. During the 1993-94 NBA season, King was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Luc Longley and a draft pick, a move that kept him from being part of the Bulls’ second three-peat run. Still, his time in Chicago remained tied to that first stretch of sustained dominance, and Jordan’s statement highlighted the connection by pointing to their shared years as teammates rather than focusing only on later chapters.

After his playing career ended, King returned to the Bulls family in a new role. Multiple outlets reported that he became a broadcaster and worked Bulls television programming for years, turning into a familiar voice for Chicago fans through studio segments and game coverage. His presence in the booth, described in coverage as enthusiastic and endearing, helped extend his influence beyond the arena and into everyday Bulls fandom.

What to watch next is how the Bulls and league will structure memorials for King, particularly given his dual legacy as a championship participant and a long-time public-facing figure. For fans, Jordan’s acknowledgment may serve as the clearest lens on why King mattered, not simply as a teammate of the era’s megastar, but as a contributor whose responsibilities fit the Bulls’ postseason system.