Scottie

Pippen

Chicago just hired Arturas Karnisovas as Executive VP of Operations, and they fired long-time GM Gar Forman, but Pippen was reportedly ousted in mid-March after a contract dispute. Pippen took a shot at the Bulls’ poor play in recent years, saying, "[The firing] is probably a good thing, right? I like to associate myself with winning.” The Bulls’ structural shake-up seems extensive, so it will be interesting to see what the roster looks like whenever play resumes.

''There’s a great appeal there for me,’' Pippen said. ''It’s where I started my career. I had a lot of success playing there. My wife is from there, and that’s really the icing on the cake.’' Pippen no longer seems to be leaning toward retirement. The Pistons and Magic are also believed to be pursuing him.

He still needs to work out details before making it official, but the future Hall-of-Famer is done. The Bulls would love it if he’d forfeit some of his $5.3 million salary to them, but that appears unlikely.

Pippen wants to retire, but he has told friends he would rather try to gut out another season than leave money on the table. The Bulls might end up waiving him and eating his contract.

Pippen appears ready to return, taking part in practices and working out at full speed before games, but coach Maurice Cheeks said the team does not want to rush his return.

That must mean some kind of a deal has been worked out. Pippen is owed $5.1 million as part of the contract he signed last summer.

Pippen is still on the injured list for now. He would not rule out playing Friday in Memphis, but he also would not rule out missing the rest of the regular season. ''I don’t want to make any predictions,’' Pippen said. ''I’m going to take it day-by-day. I don’t want to come back for one game, then have to rest it again.’'

''I felt pretty good,’' Pippen said Monday. ''It’s the first day I’ve been out on the court with the team, and I got a chance to get up and down a little bit. I felt good today. I’ll have to wait and see how I feel tomorrow.’'

''I’m not sure if I can go (Wednesday),’' Pippen said. If Pippen can’t play, Damon Stoudamire will start at point guard.

Pippen might also miss Game 4. Damon Stoudamire will start in his place.