105: 067: Either/Or_3 105: 067: Either/Or_3 Reinsdorf also hated that damn bloodsucker David Falk, but he could only offer an apologetic smile now, who would he represent if not Michael Jordan?
“The first condition, in the summer of 1996 we will test the free agency market, listening to other teams’ offers for Michael.
Before then, we will not negotiate a renewal with the Bulls in advance.”
Now even a fool knows that the salary cap will explode in the summer of ’95, and Krause believes that Jordan can pursue an epic offer in the summer of 1996.
Of course, Falk wouldn’t directly give the Bulls a number.
He would first see the offers from other teams, then let these teams compete to drive up the price.
In Falk’s expectation, Jordan’s annual salary in ’96 should be between 20 and 25 million.
Right, five times the top salary last season of David Robinson!
“No, that’s not okay!” Krause immediately objected, “We are sincere, and Michael should also show sincerity, give the team a sense of security.
Renewing the contract early is good for everyone.”
Jordan didn’t speak, Falk would speak for him: “We certainly have sincerity, but a contract is a contract.
Testing the free agency market after the contract expires is every player’s right.
Moreover, Michael is not looking to leave the Bulls, he simply wants to pursue a contract that matches his value.
The Bulls can also make an offer, can’t they?”
“Okay, fine,” Reinsdorf waved it off, interrupting the argument, “We’ll talk about the summer of ’96 in ’96, next.”
Reinsdorf thought to himself, to hell with the summer of ’96, let’s see if Jordan can keep winning championships these next two years first.
Falk smirked triumphantly, he didn’t know what that idiot Krause was refuting.
If he wasn’t brimming with confidence, he wouldn’t have brought Jordan today.
“The second condition, we’ve all heard that the team wants to trade Scottie Pippen,” Falk stated and then glanced at Krause, savoring Krause’s surprised expression.
This idiot thought he was in control.
Hah, he’s just a marionette, the least noticeable piece on this chessboard.
Krause was indeed surprised because he hadn’t disclosed the trade involving Pippen yet; only the owner and the SuperSonics general manager Wally Walker knew.
How did Michael Jordan and Falk get the news?
Krause might have forgotten that the coach of the SuperSonics was George Karl.
Such a heavy-weight trade, Walker would definitely discuss it with the head coach.
And since George Karl was also from North Carolina, he was eager to push this trade, so he called his fellow North Carolina junior Jordan, chatted about the baseball league, North Carolina basketball and golf, and after all the casual talk, George Karl spilled the trade details, seeking Jordan’s opinion, aiming to understand Scottie Pippen better and see if he truly fit with Payton.
So Jordan accidentally found out about the trade.
Krause had already let go of B.
Armstrong and Horace Grant, and now he wanted to ship off Pippen too.
He was dismantling his own squad, erasing his own past.
“Yes, there is a trade involving Scott,” Krause, knowing it was futile to argue, realized Jordan and Falk were well-prepared.
“Very good, so Michael’s second condition is, the trade must be stopped.
The Bulls lineup must include a spot for Scottie Pippen,” Falk declared proudly, raising his head.
“You can’t interfere with management affairs, that’s overstepping!” Krause attempted to intimidate the other party by raising his voice.
“We certainly haven’t interfered with management affairs,” Falk said innocently, spreading his hands, “but is Michael going to be an obstacle to you managing the team?
Doesn’t Michael want to win championships?
He just wants a competitive roster, all for the sake of winning championships for the team!”
After some thought, Reinsdorf nodded again: “I agree, next.”
He felt that in face of Michael Jordan’s return, Scottie Pippen simply wasn’t worth mentioning.
The team had no need to delay the progress of this negotiation for a player like Pippen.
More over, Pippen was indeed…
Up until now, though Falk was aggressive, his conditions were still within Reinsdorf’s acceptable range.
This made Reinsdorf believe that the third condition wouldn’t be too excessive.
But this time, Reinsdorf wasn’t so quick to agree, because Jordan and Falk’s third condition was:
“Michael’s team doesn’t need a troublemaker like Roger.
So, the team needs to trade him away!”
“What?” Reinsdorf thought he had heard wrong.
Jordan is now, Roger is the future, he thought Jordan would be willing to play with Roger even though they had previous disagreements.
After all, the kid’s talent was obvious.
But how could Jordan allow someone who challenged his authority to stay on the team, how could he plant such a ticking time bomb within the team.
Between Pippen and Roger, Jordan would surely choose the former.
Because Jordan’s Chicago Bulls didn’t need a second dominant scorer, but they did need Pippen’s defense and playmaking.
Most importantly, Pippen was an obedient terrier, while Roger was an untamable beast.
Moreover, Roger had a player option in ’95; everyone heard the loud clacking of those calculating gears.
If the Bulls sign Roger to a big contract renewal, it would affect Jordan’s pursuit of a big contract too.
Jordan of course recognized Roger’s talent, but trading him could equally bring in remarkable talent.
In sum, Jordan’s position within the team was unchallengeable!
Seeing Reinsdorf’s hesitation, Falk continued to press: “This is the final condition, Jerry.
As long as we agree, Michael will announce his return in the next few days, he can report to the team’s training camp for the new season, as long as you agree to this final condition!”
Jordan hadn’t said a word, but this was essentially an ultimatum.
With me, there is no him!