A decision on Scottie Pippen's future in Portland may be getting closer. The Trail Blazers are expected to introduce John Nash today as the team's new general manager. Nash has previously served as general manager in Philadelphia, Washington and New Jersey. Free agents can begin signing contracts today and the Bulls are trying to lure Pippen back to his original NBA home with the mid-level salary-cap exception of $4.917 million. Pippen told the Portland Tribune that he is still hoping to finish his career with the Blazers. "I would like to stay here," Pippen said. "I feel pretty comfortable they are going to offer me something when the time comes." So far this summer, Pippen said he's had a couple of casual conversations with Portland coach Maurice Cheeks, but he has not spoken to team president Steve Patterson. During a press conference Monday to announce the signing of the Blazers' top draft pick, Travis Outlaw, Patterson was noncommittal toward Pippen. "There are a host of priorities facing the organization, in terms of player personnel, that we have to decide on over the next few weeks," Patterson said. "Scottie Pippen is one of those. I'm not going to say one is more important that the other. They are all important to how we put together the whole roster." The Blazers are trying to trim their payroll, an NBA-high $105 million last season, so it's possible they won't even attempt to bring Pippen back. "Right now, I'm kind of sitting back, curious about what Portland has in mind," Pippen said. "I don't know how long I'll be able to sit back and wait on that. ... To tell you the truth, if it is time for me to go, I can move on, too." Pippen said he turned down an offer to play in Dallas for the $1.5 million exception. "It's not that important for me to go to Dallas and try to get a championship," he said. Bulls general manager John Paxson is hoping to get an answer from Pippen soon but said Tuesday they have been playing phone tag and have not spoken in a few days. "I don't know what our odds are today," Paxson said. "But if we can get him, we'll be a better basketball team." --

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