Editing Chicago Bulls (section)

====1998–2004: The Baby Bulls====
The summer of 1998 marked the end of the Bulls' championship era.<ref name="Kram 2020">{{Cite web |url=https://www.theringer.com/nba/2020/5/19/21262436/after-the-last-dance-the-bulls-became-a-historic-dumpster-fire |title=After the 'Last Dance,' the Bulls Became a Historic Dumpster Fire |last=Kram |first=Zack |date=19 May 2020 |work=[[The Ringer (website)|The Ringer]] |publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref> GM Jerry Krause, citing the team's aging roster, opted to rebuild rather than face decline. He traded Scottie Pippen for minimal returns, let Dennis Rodman walk, and dealt other key players for draft picks.<ref name="Kram 2020"/> Krause also hired coach [[Tim Floyd]] to replace Phil Jackson.<ref name="Kram 2020"/> Michael Jordan announced his second retirement, leaving the Bulls with a new starting lineup featuring Toni Kukoč, who led the team but couldn't prevent a 13-37 record in the lockout-shortened 1998–99 season, which included a record-low 49 points in a game against Miami.<ref name="Kram 2020"/>

Winning the draft lottery provided a highlight, allowing the Bulls to draft [[Elton Brand]]. Despite his stellar rookie season and co-Rookie of the Year honors, injuries and trades left the team floundering at 17-65 in 1999–2000.<ref name="Kram 2020"/> Attempts to attract top free agents failed, and new additions like [[Brad Miller (basketball)|Brad Miller]] and [[Ron Mercer]] didn't improve results, leading to a league-worst 15-67 record the following season.<ref name="Kram 2020"/> Krause shocked fans by trading Brand for [[Tyson Chandler]] and drafting [[Eddy Curry]], both seen as long-term prospects. Without veteran leadership, the team struggled, despite mid-season trades and a coaching change from Floyd to Bill Cartwright, finishing with only 21 wins.

Optimism returned in 2002–03 with the addition of [[Jay Williams (basketball)|Jay Williams]] and a young, talented core, but inconsistency limited progress to 30-52. Krause retired in 2003, and John Paxson became GM. Williams' career was derailed by a motorcycle accident, and Pippen's return was marred by injuries. The 2003–04 season saw setbacks from Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler, leading to Cartwright's firing and [[Scott Skiles]]' hiring.<ref>{{cite news |last= |first= |date=29 November 2003 |title=Skiles Is Hired to Coach Bulls |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-29-sp-nbarep29-story.html |newspaper=[[LA Times]] |location= |access-date=18 November 2024}} </ref> A major trade shifted the team's strategy to defense, but the Bulls still finished 23-59. [[Kirk Hinrich]] emerged as a fan favorite, earning All-Rookie honors amid another disappointing season.