Dickey Simpkins

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Simpkins' professional journey began when the Bulls selected him with the 21st pick in the 1994 NBA draft. Behind established centers Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, and later Dennis Rodman, he saw limited action initially, tallying 513 points across 167 games. Despite not being on the active roster for the 1996 and 1997 playoff runs, Simpkins earned two NBA championship rings during those years. His path took a sharp turn in fall 1997 when the Bulls traded him to the Golden State Warriors for Scott Burrell. The Warriors waived him, but the Bulls claimed him back, leading to a pivotal moment: posting a .634 field goal percentage in just 21 games. This performance earned him his first career playoff appearance and a third championship ring in spring 1998. Following the 1998–99 lockout, as legends like Jordan, Pippen, Rodman, and Longley departed, Simpkins emerged as a part-time starter during the 1999 season, averaging career highs of 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds.

In Their Own Story

The turning point for Dickey Simpkins arrived in the spring of 1998 after his return from Golden State. Having been waived by the Warriors and reclaimed by Chicago, he capitalized on a shortened 21-game window to post an impressive .634 field goal percentage. This surge earned him a spot in the playoffs for the first time in his career, securing his third championship ring with the Bulls. The landscape shifted dramatically after the 1998–99 lockout when Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Luc Longley all left the organization. Amidst this roster overhaul, Simpkins stepped up as a part-time starter during the 1999 season. He played a career-high 1,651 minutes in the following season, averaging 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds, proving his value to a rebuilding squad before the Bulls renounced his rights in September 2000 after signing Brad Miller.

Reader's Guide

Dickey Simpkins' NBA path offers a unique case study in roster management and resilience. Selected 21st overall in 1994, he spent years as a reserve behind Chicago's big men before being traded to Golden State for Scott Burrell in fall 1997. His journey home was swift; waived by the Warriors, he returned to Chicago just in time to post a .634 field goal percentage and earn his third ring in spring 1998. The true test of his value came post-lockout when the Bulls' core departed. Simpkins seized the opportunity, averaging career highs of 9.1 points and 6.8 rebounds while logging 1,651 minutes in a single season. His time with Chicago ended when the team signed Brad Miller in September 2000. After that, he played one game for the Atlanta Hawks before spending the rest of his career overseas in Greece, Russia, Puerto Rico, Lithuania, Spain, the Philippines, Lebanon, and Germany, including a stint with the Alaska Aces in the PBA.

Did You Know?

• Simpkins was inducted into the Providence College athletic Hall of Fame in 2013.
• He earned three NBA championship rings but was not on the active roster for the first two (1996 and 1997).
• After being waived by the Golden State Warriors, he was claimed back by the Chicago Bulls.
• In the 2005 season, he played for the Alaska Aces in the Philippine Basketball Association as a replacement for Leon Derricks.
• Simpkins currently works as a color commentator for Fox Sports 1 (FS1) covering Big East games.