Stacey King Dead At 59 After Three NBA Championship Runs

Front office sources reveal Stacey King Dead At 59 After Three NBA Championship Runs, according to Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) (in the last 24 hours).

Source: https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2063670259387609444

If you grew up watching the Bulls in the 1990s, you heard Stacey King’s name called dozens of times, usually right after Michael Jordan’s. For two of those championship seasons, King was the big body in the middle, the role player who did the dirty work so the stars could shine. And on Sunday morning, a piece of those memories went dark. Stacey King has passed away at 59 years old, league sources confirmed to @ShamsCharania of The Athletic and Stadium.

The news hit the NBA community like a gut punch. King played four seasons in Chicago, winning back-to-back titles in 1991 and 1992 alongside Jordan and Scottie Pippen. He wasn’t a name that filled highlight reels—his career averages of 6.6 points and 3.1 rebounds tell the story of a journeyman big man who carved out a niche. But those close to the situation say his legacy extended far beyond the box score. King was known as a locker room glue guy, a veteran who understood his role and never let ego get in the way. After his playing days ended in 1995, he stayed connected to the game through broadcasting and community work, though he largely kept a low profile in recent years.

The front office has been quietly remembering King’s impact behind the scenes. Multiple teams, including the Bulls, are expected to issue statements in the coming hours. What remains unconfirmed is the cause of death, and those inside the organization have asked for privacy as King’s family processes the loss.

For the casual fan, this might just seem like a name from a championship banner. But for anyone who watched those Bulls teams grind through the Eastern Conference playoffs, Stacey King represented the backbone of a dynasty that didn’t just rely on superstars. The front office dynamics of that era were built on players like King—affordable, durable, and willing to do what it took. His passing doesn’t change the standings or the draft board, but it does remind us that the game is built on more than points per game. It’s built on the men who wore the jerseys and didn’t hear their name called as often, but mattered just the same. As the league prepares for the offseason, expect a moment of silence soon.

Source: https://x.com/ShamsCharania/status/2063670259387609444