Nothing Breaking Through Speculation Of Jordan’s Return Hasn’t Sparked Action Yet

Ron Harper, feigning surprise, wanted to know which M.J. everyone was looking for. “Michael Who?” Harper asked Wednesday as another media horde descended upon a Chicago Bulls practice. “Jackson?”

The gloved one wasn’t there Wednesday. Neither was Lisa Marie. And neither was Michael Jordan. It was a just a pre-game shootaround, but once again rumors spread across Chicago that maybe this would be the day.

Wrong again. A team spokesman said there would be no announcement. Players denied they were told at a team meeting of Jordan’s imminent return.

“Some of that stuff is not true at all,” said center Bill Wennington. “I haven’t a clue. Michael’s not here.”

Jordan’s return to the Bulls, talked about now for a week, is still just talk.

“We don’t know what Michael is going to do. He probably doesn’t even know what he’s going to do,” said guard B.J. Armstrong, echoing a familiar refrain.

Is Jordan still waiting until he gets in better basketball shape? Are there hangups in working out a deal?

The NBA players and owners are currently working without a collective bargaining agreement, and there is a moratorium on renegotiating contracts.

“We would be fined heavily if we even talked about engaging in negotiations,” Bulls general manager Jerry Krause told the Chicago Tribune last week.

The Bulls have a policy against renegotiating contracts. Jordan’s contract, which is to expire at the end of next season, reportedly is paying him about $4 million a year.

Krause claims Jordan is not being paid under that deal, not that a man who makes an estimated $30 million a year in endorsements needs the money.

Jordan’s salary is, however, being applied against the salary cap, said NBA spokesman Jan Hubbard.

If Jordan returned this season, he might have his salary under his current deal prorated for the remaining games.

“That would be up to them. There have been cases where players have gotten the whole salary,” Hubbard said Wednesday, citing the example of Dallas’ Jimmy Jackson.

Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf has said twice in the last four days he still has not had a discussion with Jordan on the former player’s future.

There have also been reports that Jordan’s new deal with the Bulls could be tied to other players on the team, most notably Scottie Pippen, who has been unhappy most of the season.

Without Pippen, Jordan’s chance of winning another championship would be even more remote.

Armstrong, another key to the Bulls’ three-season championship run, was asked Wednesday if he thought his future was in any way connected to a new deal should Jordan return.

“I don’t think so. I’m not tied with him. It’s Michael’s. It’s his deal. It isn’t B.J. Armstrong, Michael Jordan or Scottie Pippen. It’s Michael Jordan,” Armstrong said.

Jordan’s agent, David Falk, did not return a phone call to his Washington office Wednesday.