That's why the best option for the Bulls could be to sign Pippen and then trade him for two or three young players whose salaries would equal Pippen's. That way, the Los Angeles Lakers jump into the picture. With so few players under contract and camps set to open early next week, the Bulls need bodies, almost any bodies. The Houston Rockets are expected to make a strong pitch for Pippen, also. They can't pay him as much as the Bulls can, but they can come close.
Phoenix is also still in the picture as are a numbe of other teams.
A number of teams have also shown interest in Longley and he said it is very possible he will decide to leave. Kerr will also be able to pick and choose. Pippen, who is playing at full strength now, said he hasn't ruled out returning to the Bulls, and because of the salary cap situation, said he was the Bulls' to lose. Still, signing him and trading him seems like the most logical thing for Chicago to do. The Bulls need to start over sooner or later, and getting something for Pippen could be a key to that strategy.