© Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Former Chicago Bull Chandler Hutchison hangs it up at age 26
Former Chicago Bull Chandler Hutchison has decided to retire from the NBA at age 26. Hutchison was drafted by the Bulls in 2018 and played a little over two seasons with the squad before getting traded to Washington Wizards. He averaged 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds per game during his brief NBA career.
Surprise retirement
Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel first announced the development.
Hutchison had been trying to stay within arm's reach of the Association by playing for the G-League affiliate of the Miami Heat — the Sioux Fall Skyforce. Before that, he had brief stints with the Washington Wizards and the Phoenix Suns. However, his most fruitful years in the NBA were with the Bulls.
The Bulls picked the Boise State product with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2018 NBA Draft. In his rookie season, Hutchison suited up in 44 games and showed flashes of his skill set with averages of 5.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 0.8 assists. He punctuated his rookie season with a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double in a 101-106 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, highlighted by a 21-point outing in a loss to the Indiana Pacers.
However, Hutchison was traded to the Wizards in 2021 in a deal that netted the Bulls' current forward, Javonte Green. He was traded to San Antonio in the offseason but was soon waived from their roster. He next signed a two-way deal with the Phoenix Suns in the 2021-2022 season and played just six games.
Unfortunate bust
Ultimately, the Bulls' selection of Hutchison will be viewed as an unfortunate bust. It is not every day that a player of his caliber gets drafted in the first round, especially one from a mid-major school like Boise State. Injuries bogged down Hutchison's career, and he could never quite stay healthy enough to seize his opportunity with the Bulls or any other team after that.
Even more unfortunate is that Hutchison was selected before several players who have become stars or solid rotation studs in the Association. This list includes Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trailblazers, Robert Williams of the Boston Celtics, Jalen Brunson and Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks, and Gary Trent Jr. of the Toronto Raptors.
