2012 - Top 14 Protected - Charlotte kept it
2013 - Top 12 Protected
2014 - Top 10 Protected
2015 - Top 8 Protected
2016 - Unprotected
If they want a top pick, it would have to be in 2016. Imagine us getting 3 more lottery picks before 2016, and think "how valuable would that team's pick be". I wouldn't bet on us still missing the playoffs that year...
EDIT: And we have 2 extra first round picks coming in those years from Portland and Detroit.
so I'd ask again, what would it take to get the rights back? Would it be worth pursuing?
It isn't worth pursuing because CHI won't see it as a middling round pick. Even if that's what it ends up being.