In Quest For Familiar Ring, Jordan, Bulls Come To Terms

Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Almost impossible to imagine one without the other. For one more year at least, they’ll stay together.

Jordan, acknowledged as the game’s greatest player, has agreed to a contract for one more season and will be trying to lead the Bulls to their sixth NBA title this decade.

“I’m delighted and excited to be back again. I look forward to helping bring another NBA championship to Chicago,” Jordan said in a statement released Wednesday by the Bulls.

Jordan, a nine-time scoring champion, four-time regular season MVP and the MVP of the NBA Finals all five times the Bulls have won, made a record $30.14 million last season.

No one in the Bulls organization would comment on Jordan’s new contract. A television report said the deal was worth $38 million and would increase to $41 million with incentives. A source close to the team said that figure appeared to be high. Initial reports had said Jordan would ask for at least $36 million.

He met Tuesday with Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf in Las Vegas.

“Jerry and I have a special relationship which enables us to work cooperatively. I am committed to Chicago and to winning. So is Jerry,” said Jordan, who is in Las Vegas this week to run a fantasy basketball camp.

Reinsdorf made a fast trip to Las Vegas, leaving Tuesday and returning Wednesday, as for the second straight year negotiations with Jordan were quick. They met Tuesday.

“After sitting down with Michael, it was quite evident in our conversation that both of us continue to care very deeply about the Bulls organization, its fans and where this franchise is headed,” Reinsdorf said in the same release.

“That made Tuesday’s discussion easy. Now we can turn our full attention to bringing a sixth championship to the city of Chicago.”

Earlier this summer, the Bulls met one of Jordan’s demands for returning by re-signing coach Phil Jackson to a one-year deal worth $6 million.

Another major consideration for Jordan, 34, was the status of sidekick and friend Scottie Pippen, whom the Bulls were ready to trade in June.

Reports have said Jordan was seeking a promise that the team would not trade Pippen, his teammate on all five NBA title teams.