Jerry Krause (April 6, 1936 – March 21, 2017) was an American basketball scout and executive, best known for his tenure as the general manager of the Chicago Bulls from 1985 to 2003.
Krause began his career as a scout for several basketball teams and baseball teams, including the Baltimore Bullets, Phoenix Suns, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls (before his GM role), Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees. He was highly regarded for his keen eye for talent and his extensive network of contacts within the basketball world.
As general manager of the Bulls, Krause oversaw the construction of a dynasty that won six NBA championships in the 1990s (1991-1993, 1996-1998). He is credited with drafting key players like Horace Grant, Scottie Pippen, and Toni Kukoc, and trading for Dennis Rodman. He also hired Phil Jackson as head coach, a move that proved crucial to the Bulls' success.
Despite the Bulls' unprecedented success under his leadership, Krause was a controversial figure. He often clashed with players and coaches, most notably Michael Jordan and Phil Jackson. His perceived arrogance and willingness to take credit for the team's success earned him the ire of many fans and media members. He was often criticized for his handling of the team's breakup after the 1998 championship, a decision that led to years of rebuilding for the Bulls.
Krause resigned as general manager of the Bulls in 2003. He later worked as a scout for the New York Knicks. He was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017. Despite the controversies surrounding his career, Jerry Krause is remembered as a significant figure in NBA history, responsible for building one of the greatest dynasties in the sport.