http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bull03.html July 3, 2003 BY ROMAN MODROWSKI Staff Reporter Bulls operations chief John Paxson wouldn't confirm Wednesday whether he has talked to free agent Scottie Pippen, which is a sign Pippen would like to keep the negotiations private. Pippen, 37, also is considering the Los Angeles Lakers, who may try to add a power forward and a wing player with their mid-level exception, which is expected to be around $4.9 million. Pippen is considering returning to the Portland Trail Blazers, as well, although that possibility seems to be fading. The Bulls would be willing to offer Pippen the entire exception, but it's not likely Pippen's decision will be determined by money. The Lakers offer a realistic shot at a championship, but the Bulls could be promising Pippen a front-office position after he retires. Paxson respects Pippen's knowledge of the game and his ability to evaluate current players, and Paxson may promise him a position such as director of player personnel. "I'll have to address that with Scottie when I talk to him,'' Paxson said. "I've heard that, too.'' Pippen told the Chicago Sun-Times in April he would be interested in returning to the Bulls. "If [the Bulls] were to offer me a spot on the roster for at least the mid-level exception and a place in management helping to build the team, I would be crazy not to consider it,'' Pippen said after Paxson succeeded Jerry Krause. "John Paxson is a class act, and he's well-deserving of that position. When I first came into the league, John Paxson was like a mentor to me, a friend who took me under his wing.'' Paxson said his first call was to Pippen to show how serious he was about obtaining his former teammate, and several current Bulls, including Tyson Chandler and Jamal Crawford, expressed a desire to play alongside Pippen. "Absolutely, I want him to know if he has a desire to come back,'' Paxson said. "We would love to have him. I look forward to sitting down with him and seeing where he's at.'' --

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