Chicago Bulls: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

6. Ben Gordon (SG) — No. 3 pick in 2004 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Bulls):  398 GP, 18.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 2.4 TOV, 43.7 FG%, 41.5 3P%, 85.9 FT%

It had been six long years since the Bulls’ dynasty had come to an abrupt end. During that painful stretch, the team never won more than 30 games.

Needless to say, the Bulls were in need of a game-changer by the time the 2004 NBA Draft rolled around. With the third overall pick, they selected Ben Gordon from the University of Connecticut.

Gordon quickly showed that the Bulls had made the right decision, as he averaged 15 points per contest while converting 41 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

As a result of his outstanding play, Gordon became the first rookie to be named Sixth Man of the Year and was awarded a spot on the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team. Gordon spent five seasons with the Bulls, with his most memorable moments taking place in the first round playoff series against the Boston Celtics in 2009.

During that series, he averaged 24.3 points per contest on 38 percent shooting from distance. This included a 42-point outburst in Game 2. Unfortunately, Gordon and the Bulls were unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal and he signed with the Detroit Pistons the next season.

Over the course of his five years in a Bulls uniform, Gordon’s averaged 18.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists on 41.5 percent shooting from three-point range. Gordon — along with Luol Deng (whom the Bulls acquired at No. 7 via a trade with the Phoenix Suns) and Chris Duhon (No. 38 pick overall) — became the trio that helped the Bulls become a playoff team once again.